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Definition tear in British English

tear verb

verb
/teə(r)/
1

to pull something so that it separates into pieces or gets a hole in it, or to become damaged in this way

Example

It's made of very thin material that tears easily.

Example

He'd torn his raincoat.

Example

I've torn a hole in my sweater!

Example

Mary tore the letter to pieces without reading it.

Example

Reynolds tore the contract in two.

Synonyms and related words
tear rip rip up tear pierce pit
1.1

to accidentally damage cloth, paper etc with something sharp or by getting it stuck on something

Example

I must have torn my sleeve on that nail.

Synonyms and related words
tear rip rip up
2

to damage something such as a muscle by stretching it until it pulls apart

Example

I tore a muscle playing football.

Synonyms and related words
injure harm wound cartilaginous contract motor
3

to move somewhere very quickly, especially in an excited or uncontrolled way

Example

Those kids are always tearing around here on their bicycles.

Synonyms and related words
fly hasten speed
4

to remove something by pulling it away from something else with force

Example

You'll need to tear the old wallpaper off the walls.

Example

The storm had torn the old tree up by the roots.

Synonyms and related words
pull snatch rip
Definition tear in British English

Related Words

Words related to tear:

bring a tear to someone’s eye (phrase) cut/tear etc something to ribbons (phrase) to pieces (phrase) something to pieces (phrase) tear (verb) tear (noun) tear (noun) tear apart (phrasal verb) tear at (phrasal verb) tear away (phrasal verb) tear down (phrasal verb) tear gas (noun) tear gland (noun) tear into (phrasal verb) tear off (phrasal verb) tear to (phrase) tear something open (phrase) tear through (phrasal verb) tear up (phrasal verb) your hair out (phrase) someone limb from limb (phrase) to shreds (phrase) wear and tear (noun)