Tear Definition
tear
noun
- a drop of the clear salty saline solution secreted by the lacrimal glands; "his story brought tears to her eyes"
- an opening made forcibly as by pulling apart; "there was a rip in his pants"; "she had snags in her stockings"
- an occasion for excessive eating or drinking; "they went on a bust that lasted three days"
- the act of tearing; "he took the manuscript in both hands and gave it a mighty tear"
verb
- separate or cause to separate abruptly; "The rope snapped"; "tear the paper"
- to separate or be separated by force; "planks were in danger of being torn from the crossbars"
- move quickly and violently; "The car tore down the street"; "He came charging into my office"
- strip of feathers; "pull a chicken"; "pluck the capon"
- fill with tears or shed tears; "Her eyes were tearing"
"Tear" in song lyrics
See how tear is used in real songs:
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"Oh I just had to shed a tear"
2 Live Crew — 2 Live Blues -
"but a man will never shed a tear"
51.50 — Games People Play -
"On your face looks scared, your spacesuits got a tear"
Aceyalone — A Book of Human Language
Words that rhyme with tear
Usage tips for "tear"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "tear" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for tear to find words that pair well.