tearteartearstoretearingtorn2nounan untidy hole in something like paper or material: You've got a tear in your jeans.tearteartearstoretearingtorn1verb (tears, tearing, tore/, has torn)pronunciationThe verb and noun tear1 and tear2 sound like hair or care. 1to damage something by pulling it apart or making an untidy hole in it: She tore her dress on a nail. I tore the piece of paper in half. I can't use this bag – it's torn.2to come apart; to break: Paper tears easily.3to take something from somebody or something in a quick and violent way: He tore the bag out of her hands.4to move somewhere very fast: He tore down the street.tear something upto destroy something by pulling it into small pieces: I tore the letter up and threw it away.tearteartearstoretearingtorn3nounpronunciationWith this meaning, tear sounds like near or cheer.a drop of water that comes from your eye when you cry: I was in tears (= crying) at the end of the film. She read the letter and burst into tears (= suddenly started to cry).