wear off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wear off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the gradual reduction or disappearance of an effect, such as a drug or sensation. Example: "The pain relief from the medication will start to wear off after a few hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Would it wear off?

The New York Times

Hopefully, that'll wear off".

The New York Times - Sports

Do the effects wear off?

The New York Times - Science

Will it ever wear off?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's nanotechnology, and it doesn't wear off.

Independent

The surprise has yet to wear off.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Sonata wears off fastest.

Harvard University

"Novelty wears off".

The New York Times

The sheen had worn off.

The New York Times

Has the spell worn off?

The New Yorker

The novelty is wearing off.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the duration of an effect, clarify how quickly or slowly something will "wear off". For instance, specify if it will "wear off quickly" or "gradually wear off over time".

Common error

Avoid using "wear off" in passive constructions where it doesn't fit. "The effect was worn off" is grammatically incorrect; instead, use "the effect wore off".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "wear off" functions primarily to describe the gradual decrease or disappearance of an effect or sensation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something is losing its strength or intensity over time. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use with effects, feelings, and novelty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "wear off" effectively describes the diminishing impact of something over time, whether it's a sensation, a drug's effect, or a feeling of novelty. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and its common usage across diverse contexts, mainly news and media, but also in more informal scenarios like wikis. When writing, ensure correct voice usage to enhance clarity, and be specific about the timeline of this diminishing effect. Alternatives such as "diminish in effect" or "fade away" provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose effectiveness

Focuses on the reduction of the intended result or impact.

diminish in effect

Emphasizes the weakening of an influence or result.

fade away

Highlights the gradual disappearance or vanishing of something.

taper off

Suggests a gradual decrease, often in quantity or intensity.

peter out

Implies a slow decline and eventual cessation.

lose its edge

Refers to the loss of sharpness, excitement, or effectiveness.

become less intense

Focuses on a reduction in the strength or degree of something.

lose novelty

Specifically refers to the fading of initial excitement or interest.

dissipate

Indicates a scattering or vanishing, often used for abstract things like feelings or energy.

subside

Describes a lessening of intensity or activity, often used for things like pain or emotions.

FAQs

How can I use "wear off" in a sentence?

You can use "wear off" to describe the diminishing effect of something over time. For example, "The initial excitement started to "wear off" after a few weeks", or "The pain medication will "wear off" in about six hours".

What's a more formal way to say "wear off"?

While "wear off" is suitable for many contexts, more formal alternatives include "diminish", "subside", or "wane". For instance, instead of "The effects will "wear off"", you might say "The effects will diminish over time".

What can I say instead of "wear off" to describe a fading feeling?

To describe a feeling that's fading, you could use phrases like "fade away", "lose intensity", or "subside". For example, "The shock began to "wear off"" can be replaced with "The shock began to fade away".

Is it correct to say something is "wearing off me"?

No, the correct usage is "wearing off". The phrase "wear off" is intransitive, meaning it doesn't take a direct object. You would say "The medication is "wearing off"" not "The medication is wearing off me".