worn

Worn means thinned and damaged by long use. Worn carpet, worn steps, the soles are worn.

It describes the result of years of contact — stone worn smooth, worn tyres, a worn edge. Worn out means used until it is no longer any good, and of a person it means exhausted. Well-worn describes both a much-used object and an over-used phrase: a well-worn excuse. Worn is also the past participle of wear in its clothing sense: worn only once. Note careworn and worn thin.