Tare vs. Tear: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023
"Tare" refers to the weight of an empty container or the unwanted portion of something, while "tear" can mean to rip something or a droplet from the eye.
Difference Between Tare and Tear
"Tare" and "tear" are two English words that, despite being homophones, have vastly different meanings and usages. The word "tare" primarily finds its roots in weighing and measurement. It signifies the weight of an empty container that's used to hold some substance. By accounting for the tare, one ensures that only the weight of the substance (and not the container) is measured. For instance, when purchasing bulk items in a store, the weight of the container or bag is often subtracted to determine the actual weight of the goods.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
On the other hand, "tear" is a versatile word with a couple of distinct meanings. One of its primary interpretations relates to the act of ripping or damaging something by pulling it apart. A paper can tear if not handled properly. In a different context, "tear" can also refer to the liquid produced by glands in one's eyes, often associated with emotions such as sadness, joy, or irritation.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
Interestingly, while "tare" mostly remains in the domain of specific contexts like logistics, shipping, or grocery shopping, "tear" has a broader range of applications in daily language. One might discuss the tear in a piece of fabric or the tears shed during an emotional movie.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
In pronunciation, both words might sound similar, which can be confusing for non-native speakers or those unfamiliar with their distinct contexts. But understanding their different spheres of application – with "tare" leaning towards weights and measures, and "tear" to either physical damage or emotional expression – can make their differentiation clearer.
Henry
Sep 26, 2023
Tare vs. Tear Comparison Chart
Context of Usage
Weighing, measurement
Physical damage, emotional expression
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Example Sentence
The tare was subtracted from the total weight.
She shed a tear during the movie.
Elijah
Sep 26, 2023
Etymology
From Middle English (container's weight)
From Old English "teran" (to rip)
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Tare vs. Tear Definitions
◉Tare
The unwanted or useless part of something.
He removed the tare before weighing the harvest.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Tear
A droplet from the eye, usually due to emotion.
A tear rolled down her cheek as she listened.
William
Sep 26, 2023
◉Tare
A vetch or similar plant.
The field was filled with tare, growing wild.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Tear
To move quickly or with haste.
He can tear around the track faster than anyone else.
William
Sep 26, 2023
◉Tare
A defect or impurity.
The material had a tare that rendered it unsuitable for the project.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Tare
The weight of an empty container.
To get the net weight, you subtract the tare from the gross weight.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Tare
An allowance made for the weight of packaging.
The store's scale automatically deducts the tare when weighing produce.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Tear
To cause to be pulled apart unintentionally, as by accident
tore my pants on the barbed wire.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
To make (an opening) in something by pulling it apart or by accident
I tore a hole in my stocking.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tare
The weight of a container or wrapper that is deducted from the gross weight to obtain net weight.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tare
A deduction from gross weight made to allow for the weight of a container.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
To divide or disrupt
was torn between opposing choices.
a country that was torn by strife.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tare
(Chemistry) A counterbalance, especially an empty vessel used to counterbalance the weight of a similar container.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tare
To determine or indicate the tare of, especially to weigh in order to find out the tare.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
To move with heedless speed; rush headlong
tore off down the road.
tore along the avenue.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tare
(rare) A vetch, or the seed of a vetch (genus Vicia, esp. Vicia sativa)
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tare
Any of various dipping sauces served with Japanese food, typically based on soy sauce.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tare
To take into account the weight of the container, wrapping etc. in weighting merchandise.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
A drop of the clear salty liquid that is secreted by the lachrymal gland of the eye to lubricate the surface between the eyeball and eyelid and to wash away irritants.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tare
(sciences) To set a zero value on an instrument (usually a balance) that discounts the starting point.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
tears A profusion of this liquid spilling from the eyes and wetting the cheeks, especially as an expression of emotion.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tare
A weed that grows among wheat and other grain; - alleged by modern naturalists to be the Lolium temulentum, or darnel.
Didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares?
The "darnel" is said to be the tares of Scripture, and is the only deleterious species belonging to the whole order.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
(transitive) To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate.
He tore his coat on the nail.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tare
A name of several climbing or diffuse leguminous herbs of the genus Vicia; especially, the Vicia sativa, sometimes grown for fodder.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
(transitive) To injure as if by pulling apart.
He has a torn ligament.
He tore some muscles in a weight-lifting accident.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tare
Deficientcy in the weight or quantity of goods by reason of the weight of the cask, bag, or whatever contains the commodity, and is weighed with it; hence, the allowance or abatement of a certain weight or quantity which the seller makes to the buyer on account of the weight of such cask, bag, etc.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
(transitive) To destroy or reduce abstract unity or coherence, such as social, political or emotional.
He was torn by conflicting emotions.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
(transitive) To make (an opening) with force or energy.
A piece of debris tore a tiny straight channel through the satellite.
His boss will tear him a new one when he finds out.
The artillery tore a gap in the line.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tare
weedy annual grass often occurs in grainfields and other cultivated land; seeds sometimes considered poisonous
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May 03, 2023
◉Tear
To demolish
The slums were torn down to make way for the new development.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tare
counterweight consisting of an empty container that is used as a counterbalance to obtain net weight
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
(intransitive) To become torn, especially accidentally.
My dress has torn.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
(intransitive) To move or act with great speed, energy, or violence.
He went tearing down the hill at 90 miles per hour.
The tornado lingered, tearing through town, leaving nothing upright.
He tore into the backlog of complaints.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
(intransitive) To smash or enter something with great force.
The chain shot tore into the approaching line of infantry.
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May 03, 2023
◉Tear
(intransitive) To produce tears.
Her eyes began to tear in the harsh wind.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
A hole or break caused by tearing.
A small tear is easy to mend, if it is on the seam.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
A drop of clear, salty liquid produced from the eyes by crying or irritation.
There were big tears rolling down Lisa's cheeks.
Ryan wiped the tear from the paper he was crying on.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter; also, a solid, transparent, tear-shaped drop, as of some balsams or resins.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
A drop of the limpid, saline fluid secreted, normally in small amount, by the lachrymal gland, and diffused between the eye and the eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion. Ordinarily the secretion passes through the lachrymal duct into the nose, but when it is increased by emotion or other causes, it overflows the lids.
And yet for thee ne wept she never a tear.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter; also, a solid, transparent, tear-shaped drop, as of some balsams or resins.
Let Araby extol her happy coast,Her fragrant flowers, her trees with precious tears.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
To separate by violence; to pull apart by force; to rend; to lacerate; as, to tear cloth; to tear a garment; to tear the skin or flesh.
Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
Hence, to divide by violent measures; to disrupt; to rend; as, a party or government torn by factions.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
To rend away; to force away; to remove by force; to sunder; as, a child torn from its home.
The hand of fateHath torn thee from me.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
To divide or separate on being pulled; to be rent; as, this cloth tears easily.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
To move and act with turbulent violence; to rush with violence; hence, to rage; to rave.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
a drop of the clear salty saline solution secreted by the lacrimal glands;
his story brought tears to her eyes
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
an opening made forcibly as by pulling apart;
there was a rip in his pants
she had snags in her stockings
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
an occasion for excessive eating or drinking;
they went on a bust that lasted three days
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
the act of tearing;
he took the manuscript in both hands and gave it a mighty tear
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
separate or cause to separate abruptly;
The rope snapped
tear the paper
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
to separate or be separated by force;
planks were in danger of being torn from the crossbars
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
move quickly and violently;
The car tore down the street
He came charging into my office
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tear
To damage by pulling apart or into pieces.
Be careful not to tear the paper.
Jonathan
Sep 26, 2023
Tare vs. Tear Frequently Asked Questions
Is a tear always related to sadness?
No, tears can be produced due to various emotions or even due to irritation.
Jonathan
Sep 26, 2023
What's a tear in the context of emotion?
A tear refers to the liquid produced by eyes, often linked to feelings like sadness or joy.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
Can tare also refer to impurities?
Yes, in some contexts, tare might refer to unwanted or impure parts of something.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
What does tare mean in weighing?
Tare refers to the weight of an empty container which is subtracted to get the actual weight of the contents.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
How do you pronounce tare and tear differently?
Both can be pronounced the same way, though "tear" (to rip) and "tear" (from the eye) can sometimes differ regionally.
Henry
Sep 26, 2023
In which industries is tare weight crucial?
Tare weight is essential in logistics, shipping, grocery, and any sector where precise measurements are needed.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
How do you use tear as a verb?
"Tear" as a verb means to rip or damage by pulling, e.g., "Don't tear the page."
Henry
Sep 26, 2023
How is tare used in shopping?
In stores, the tare weight (like that of a container) is deducted to determine the weight of the product you're buying.
William
Sep 26, 2023
What causes a tear in fabrics?
A tear in fabrics can result from wear and tear, cuts, or excessive strain.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Can tare mean something other than weight?
Yes, tare can also refer to certain plants, like vetches.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
