verslijten

Verslijten is a Dutch verb meaning to wear out or to become worn through by use or the passage of time. It can refer to tangible objects such as clothing, shoes, tires, tools, or furniture, but also to less physical things like patience, interest, or enthusiasm when they diminish through repeated use or exposure.

It is formed with the prefix ver- added to slijten, the base verb meaning to wear down. The related noun is slijtage, meaning wear and tear or the process of wearing down. The past participle is versleten and the adjective form is also versleten, used to describe something that is worn out.

Usage notes: Verslijten emphasizes deterioration caused by use over time, rather than a sudden break. It is common to say de banden verslijten (the tires wear out) or mijn jas is versleten (my coat is worn out). It can also describe a person’s patience or interest being worn thin: Zijn geduld is versleten.

Relation to other terms: Slijten is the base verb; slijtage refers to wear and tear in general. Verschleißen is the German cognate. In Dutch, other phrases like na verloop van tijd can indicate gradual deterioration. The concept is central in discussions of product life cycles, maintenance, and aging.