worn once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worn once" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an item, typically clothing or accessories, that has been used a single time before being offered for sale or given away. Example: "This dress is in excellent condition as it has only been worn once."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The women in my family offer our barely-worn clothes and impulse buys to each other -- from special occasion pieces worn once or twice to everyday items we've never worn after bringing home, it's a chance to swap and sample styles between our varying individual tastes.

Huffington Post

The fact that it was only worn once was definitely a good thing.

Independent

A wedding dress has been worn once and only for a matter of hours".

The New York Times

For sale: adult women's shoes, worn once, very cool, slightly too tight in the toes.

The New Yorker

Similarly, a red Gap sweater I bought last year has been worn once.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A gown is worn once, but an accessory is forever, said Julie Sabatino, a bridal fashion stylist who owns TheStylishBride.com.

The New York Times

When a garment has a "not for machine wash!!!' label, it generally means it will be worn once and left at the back of the cupboard, next to all the other worn-once, dry-clean-only tops, skirts and blouses.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's got that box-fresh thing that rappers have: everything looks as it's only ever worn once.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

THE LOOK For unfussy gentlemen, the shop is a gold mine of spring and summer colors to be worn once the suit comes off.

The New York Times

Most expect the maillot jaune to be worn once again by the peerless 32-year-old Texan, Lance Armstrong, who is bidding for a record sixth consecutive title.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For all those worn-once party dresses, ill-advised designer purchases that were never worn, and miscellaneous clothes that are still in good condition, there are a number of websites that let you sell your gently used clothes.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When selling or describing used clothing, specify "worn once" to indicate excellent condition and increase buyer confidence.

Common error

Don't just say an item is "slightly used." Be specific and state "worn once" if that's the case to provide a clear indication of its condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worn once" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (usually clothing or accessories) indicating the item's condition, specifically how many times it has been used. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "worn once" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an item, especially clothing, that has been used only one time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's readily understood and utilized in diverse writing contexts. Its primary function is to offer assurance about the item's near-new condition. The frequency of "worn once" is high, mainly in News & Media. When using this phrase, be direct, specific and honest. Alternatives such as "used one time" can be used to diversify writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Used one time

Focuses on the action of using something a single time.

Used once

A more concise synonym, directly replacing 'worn' with 'used'.

Worn a single time

Emphasizes the singularity of the wearing occasion.

Used only once

Highlights the exclusivity of the single use.

Only worn once

Alters the word order for emphasis on the 'only' aspect.

Lightly used

Implies minimal use, though not necessarily just once.

Gently used

Suggests careful and infrequent use.

Barely worn

Emphasizes the minimal amount of wear.

New without tags

Indicates an item is unused but no longer has its original tags.

Practically new

Suggests the item is almost in the same condition as a new item.

FAQs

How can I use "worn once" in a sentence?

You can use "worn once" to describe items, typically clothing, that have been used only a single time, such as, "This dress is in excellent condition, having been "worn once" for a wedding."

What can I say instead of "worn once"?

Alternatives include "used one time", "worn a single time", or "used only once" depending on the context. These phrases all convey the idea of minimal use.

Which is correct, "worn once" or "worn one time"?

Both "worn once" and "worn one time" are grammatically correct and understandable. However, ""worn once"" is more concise and commonly used.

What does "worn once" imply about the condition of an item?

"Worn once" generally implies that the item is in very good or excellent condition, close to new. It suggests that any wear and tear would be minimal.