What is tear? Pronunciation and usage in English

tear means . Learn how to pronounce and use tear through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of tear

tearverb

/tɛː/
Definition & pronunciation of tear

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "tear" in English. There are two main ways it's pronounced, and it depends on the meaning!

1. "Tear" as in a drop of liquid (like crying):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈtɪər/ (rhymes with "beer")
  • Breakdown:
    • T: Pronounced like the "t" in "top."
    • I: Pronounced like the "ee" in "see."
    • R: A light "r" sound – almost like a quick tap of your tongue against the roof of your mouth. It's not a strong, rolled "r" like you'd hear in Spanish.

2. "Tear" as in to rip or pull apart:

  • Pronunciation: /tɪər/ (rhymes with "tire")
  • Breakdown:
    • T: Pronounced like the "t" in "top."
    • I: Pronounced like the "ee" in "see."
    • R: Like the light "r" described above – a quick tap.

Here's a quick summary table:

Meaning Pronunciation Rhyme
Drop of liquid /ˈtɪər/ beer
To rip/pull apart /tɪər/ tire

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to pronounce "tear"? (e.g., Are you talking about someone crying, or ripping a piece of paper?)

Usage and examples with the word tear in English

Let's break down how to use the word "tear" – it's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a comprehensive guide, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb (Action):

  • To rip or pull apart: This is the most common meaning.
    • “He tore the paper in half.”
    • “She tore her dress when she tripped.”
    • “Don’t tear the envelope; write your address on the back.”
  • To shed (tears): Refers to crying.
    • “She tore up when she heard the news.”
    • “He wasn’t crying, but he looked like he was tearing up.” (idiomatic - meaning sad)
  • To rip apart emotionally: (Figurative) To be deeply affected or devastated.
    • “The loss of his job really tore him up.” (meaning he was deeply upset)
  • To pull or pull apart (less common, often with a specific action):
    • “He tore the fabric to make a cushion.”

2. As a Noun (Thing):

  • A rip or hole: The result of tearing.
    • “There’s a tear in my jeans.”
    • “The storm caused several tears in the road.”
  • A drop of liquid (usually tears):
    • “She wiped away a tear.”
    • “His eyes filled with tears.”
  • A small, jagged opening: (Less common, more technical)
    • "The paper had a small tear along the edge."

3. Phrases & Idioms Using "Tear":

  • Tearful: Full of tears; sad. “She was a tearful goodbye.”
  • Tear down: To destroy; to dismantle. “The protesters wanted to tear down the statue.”
  • Tear someone’s heart out: (Idiomatic) To cause immense emotional pain. “Losing his dog really tore his heart out.”
  • Tear (something) apart: To destroy completely. “The kids tore the Lego set apart.”
  • Tear someone’s eyes out: (Idiomatic – very strong!) – Means to completely overwhelm someone with emotion (implies extreme distress).
  • To tear up: (As a verb) To rip something into small pieces. Also, to cry. (e.g., “He tore up the letter.”)

4. "Tear" as an Adjective (Rare):

  • (Of a view) magnificent or impressive: (Archaic) This usage is uncommon these days. “The sun produced a tear in the far distance.” (meaning a brilliant ray)

Tips for Using "Tear" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "tear" is almost always determined by the context of the sentence.
  • Consider the Intensity: Words like "rip" and "destroy" are stronger than “tear”.
  • Formal vs. Informal: "Tear up" is a very common, informal expression for crying. "Tear" alone is more neutral.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using “tear” in? (e.g., writing a story, having a conversation, answering a quiz question)

Synonyms for the word tear

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