tear
noun
- 1
A hole or break caused by tearing.
“A small tear is easy to mend, if it is on the seam.”
- 2
A rampage.
“to go on a tear”
verb
- 1
To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate.
“He tore his coat on the nail.”
- 2
To injure as if by pulling apart.
“He has a torn ligament.”
- 3
To destroy or reduce abstract unity or coherence, such as social, political or emotional.
“He was torn by conflicting emotions.”
- 4
To make (an opening) with force or energy.
“A piece of debris tore a tiny straight channel through the satellite.”
- 5
(often with off or out) To remove by tearing.
“Tear the coupon out of the newspaper.”
- 6
(of structures, with down) To demolish
“The slums were torn down to make way for the new development.”
- 7
To become torn, especially accidentally.
“My dress has torn.”
- 8
To move or act with great speed, energy, or violence.
“He tore into the backlog of complaints.”
- 9
To smash or enter something with great force.
“The chain shot tore into the approaching line of infantry.”
noun
- 1
A drop of clear, salty liquid produced from the eyes by crying or irritation.
“Ryan wiped the tear from the paper he was crying on.”
- 2
Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter; also, a solid, transparent, tear-shaped drop, as of some balsams or resins.
- 3
(glass manufacture) A partially vitrified bit of clay in glass.
- 4
That which causes or accompanies tears; a lament; a dirge.
verb
- 1
To produce tears.
“Her eyes began to tear in the harsh wind.”
Translate “tear” to another language
Click any language to open the translator with this word already filled in.