past participle
Having pulled something so hard that it separated or got a hole in it.
The dog has torn the paper to shreds.
She has torn her jacket on a nail.
American English
How to pronounce torn
verb · adjectiveB1Common word
TORN
/tʰɔɹn/
One syllable.
Form of tear
Having pulled something so hard that it separated or got a hole in it.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
participial adjective
Damaged with a split or hole because it was pulled or caught.
The torn pages fell from the book.
He hid the torn sleeve under his coat.
adjective
Unable to decide between two choices because you feel strongly about both.
Maria is torn between staying and leaving.
He is torn about whether to tell the truth.
Good to know
Torn meaning “unable to decide” is usually followed by between or about.
Useful expressions
To start crying or get tears in your eyes.
I teared up at the end of the movie.
Crying because of strong emotion, sadness, or pain.
He was in tears after the argument.
To destroy something by pulling it into pieces.
The dog tore the toy apart.
Related words & forms
To mean “rip,” use tore and torn: I tore it; I have torn it. But tear up meaning “start crying” usually has teared up: I teared up.