What this suffix does
-worn describes something worn down by use or the passage of time: timeworn, weatherworn (worn by exposure to the elements), careworn (worn out, showing years of worry on their face).
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Suffix · forms adjectives
-worn
Describes something worn down by time or use: timeworn (worn by time) and careworn (worn out by worry).
In Spanish: desgastado por / agotado porIntermediate
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
Do not confuse with -torn
"-worn" is gradual wear (careworn, weatherworn). "-torn" is violent rupture (war-torn = destroyed by war). A "war-worn" soldier is exhausted by war; a "war-torn" country is destroyed by it.
How it is formed
Noun + worn.
- time + worntimeworn (worn by time)
- care + worncareworn (worn out by worry)
- weather + wornweatherworn (worn by exposure to weather)
This is not a productive rule you can apply freely: it is a closed set of fixed expressions. Learn them one by one as set phrases.
How it is pronounced
-worn
Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
Examples
Base word
With -worn
In a phrase
- carecarewornHer careworn face showed just how tired she was.
- timetimewornThe timeworn photos were falling apart at the edges.
- weatherweatherwornThe weatherworn fence needed a fresh coat of paint.
- shopshopwornThe shopworn shoes were on sale for half price.
- warwar-wornThe war-worn soldiers finally returned home.
Common mistakes
confusing -worn with -torn
they are different suffixes with overlapping meanings
"-worn" suggests gradual damage through use or time (careworn, weatherworn). "-torn" suggests violent rupture or conflict (war-torn, strife-torn). A "war-worn" soldier is exhausted by war; a "war-torn country" is a country ripped apart by it. Both can describe post-war realities but from very different angles.
worn-out vs -worn (as a compound)
worn-out is predicative; -worn is part of a specific compound
"Worn out" (predicative) = exhausted in general. A -worn compound is more specific and literary: "careworn" describes exhaustion from worrying, while "worn out from worry" is the plain equivalent. The compound is more precise and more evocative.
A trick to remember it
"Worn" comes from "wear" (the same word in "worn out"). It always means "worn down BY something": time-WORN, weather-WORN. Always look for the cause right before "worn".
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"The timeworn argument failed to convince anyone." What does "timeworn" mean here?
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Frequently asked questions
What does the suffix -worn mean in English?
The suffix -worn describes something worn down by time or use: timeworn (worn by time) and careworn (worn out by worry). In Spanish it usually maps to desgastado por / agotado por.
Can you give an example of a word with -worn?
"care" becomes "careworn". It is a typical example of the -worn suffix.
Other useful suffixes
-laden
Means "loaded with": snow-laden (loaded with snow) and guilt-laden (weighed down by guilt).
-ridden
Forms adjectives describing something persistently dominated or plagued by something negative: guilt-ridden, debt-ridden, crime-ridden, anxiety-ridden, corruption-ridden.
-stricken
Forms adjectives describing someone or something severely affected by an emotion, condition, or calamity: poverty-stricken, grief-stricken, panic-stricken, awe-stricken, drought-stricken.
Learn every English suffix
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