The difference between Rip and Tear

When used as nouns, rip means a tear (in paper, etc.), whereas tear means a hole or break caused by tearing.

When used as verbs, rip means to divide or separate the parts of (especially something flimsy such as paper or fabric), by cutting or tearing, whereas tear means to rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not.


check bellow for the other definitions of Rip and Tear

  1. Rip as a noun:

    A tear (in paper, etc.).

  2. Rip as a noun (Australia):

    A type of tide or current. A strong outflow of surface water, away from the shore, that returns water from incoming waves.

  3. Rip as a noun (slang):

    A comical, embarrassing, or hypocritical event or action.

  4. Rip as a noun (slang):

    A hit (dose) of marijuana.

  5. Rip as a noun (UK, Eton College):

    A black mark given for substandard schoolwork.

  6. Rip as a noun (slang):

    Something unfairly expensive, a rip-off.

  1. Rip as a verb (transitive):

    To divide or separate the parts of (especially something flimsy such as paper or fabric), by cutting or tearing; to tear off or out by violence.

    Examples:

    "to rip a garment; to rip up a floor"

  2. Rip as a verb (intransitive):

    To tear apart; to rapidly become two parts.

    Examples:

    "My shirt ripped when it was caught on a bramble."

  3. Rip as a verb (transitive):

    To get by, or as if by, cutting or tearing.

  4. Rip as a verb (intransitive, figurative):

    To move quickly and destructively.

  5. Rip as a verb (woodworking):

    To cut wood along (parallel to) the grain. Contrast crosscut.

  6. Rip as a verb (transitive, slang, computing):

    To copy data from CD, DVD, Internet stream, etc. to a hard drive, portable device, etc.

  7. Rip as a verb (slang, narcotics):

    To take a "hit" of marijuana.

  8. Rip as a verb (slang):

    To fart.

  9. Rip as a verb (transitive, US, slang):

    To mock or criticize (someone or something). (often used with on)

  10. Rip as a verb (transitive, slang, chiefly, demoscene):

    To steal; to rip off.

  11. Rip as a verb:

    To move or act fast, to rush headlong.

  12. Rip as a verb (archaic):

    To tear up for search or disclosure, or for alteration; to search to the bottom; to discover; to disclose; usually with up.

  13. Rip as a verb (intransitive, surfing, slang):

    To surf extremely well.

  1. Rip as a noun:

    A wicker basket for fish.

  1. Rip as a noun (colloquial, regional, dated):

    A worthless horse; a nag.

  2. Rip as a noun (colloquial, regional, dated):

    An immoral man; a rake, a scoundrel.

  1. Tear as a verb (transitive):

    To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate.

    Examples:

    "He tore his coat on the [[nail]]."

  2. Tear as a verb (transitive):

    To injure as if by pulling apart.

    Examples:

    "He has a torn ligament."

    "He tore some muscles in a weight-lifting accident."

  3. Tear as a verb (transitive):

    To destroy or reduce abstract unity or coherence, such as social, political or emotional.

    Examples:

    "He was torn by conflicting emotions."

  4. Tear as a verb (transitive):

    To make (an opening) with force or energy.

    Examples:

    "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."

  5. Tear as a verb (transitive, often, with ''off'', or, ''out''):

    To remove by tearing.

    Examples:

    "'Tear the coupon out of the newspaper."

  6. Tear as a verb (transitive, of structures, with ''down''):

    To demolish

    Examples:

    "The slums were torn down to make way for the new development."

  7. Tear as a verb (intransitive):

    To become torn, especially accidentally.

    Examples:

    "My dress has torn."

  8. Tear as a verb (intransitive):

    To move or act with great speed, energy, or violence.

    Examples:

    "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."

  9. Tear as a verb (intransitive):

    To smash or enter something with great force.

    Examples:

    "The chain shot tore into the approaching line of infantry."

  1. Tear as a noun:

    A hole or break caused by tearing.

    Examples:

    "A small tear is easy to mend, if it is on the seam."

  2. Tear as a noun (slang):

    A rampage.

    Examples:

    "to go on a tear"

  1. Tear as a noun:

    A drop of clear, salty liquid produced from the eyes by crying or irritation.

    Examples:

    "There were big tears rolling down Lisa's cheeks."

    "Ryan wiped the tear from the paper he was crying on."

  2. Tear as a noun:

    Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter; also, a solid, transparent, tear-shaped drop, as of some balsams or resins.

  3. Tear as a noun (glass manufacture):

    A partially vitrified bit of clay in glass.

  4. Tear as a noun:

    That which causes or accompanies tears; a lament; a dirge.

  1. Tear as a verb (intransitive):

    To produce tears.

    Examples:

    "Her eyes began to tear in the harsh wind."

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