Erase
/ɪˈreɪz/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo remove something completely, typically marks on a surface or data from a storage medium.
/ɪˈreɪz/
To remove or obliterate something.
She erased the message from the chalkboard.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're drawing with a crayon. If you make a mistake, you can use an eraser to make the mark disappear. Erasing is like making something go away completely.
👶 For kids: To make something go away, like when you rub out a drawing with an eraser.
More Examples
I need to erase the hard drive before I sell the computer.
The memories of that time were slowly erased from his mind.
How It's Used
"I need to erase the whiteboard before the next class."
"He erased the files from his computer."
To remove or eliminate something intangible, such as memories or feelings.
/ɪˈreɪz/
To eliminate or abolish something.
The government sought to erase all signs of corruption.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, you want to forget something unpleasant, like a bad dream. Erasing here means to make it disappear from your mind or from a situation entirely.
👶 For kids: To make something go away, like a bad feeling or a memory.
More Examples
She tried to erase the painful memories of her childhood.
The bombing erased the town from the map.
How It's Used
"The new law aimed to erase the inequalities of the past."
"The fire erased all traces of the village."
Idioms & expressions
erase from memory
To completely forget something.
"I've tried to erase that embarrassing moment from my memory."
From Middle French *eracier* (to scrape out), from Latin *radere* (to scrape, shave).
The word 'erase' has been used since the 16th century, initially referring to the physical removal of writing.
Memory tip
Think of rubbing out pencil marks with an eraser - you *erase* them.