erase
word
/iˈɹeɪs/
i-RAYS
/ɪɹˈeɪz/
i-RAYZ
Definition
To remove marks, writing, or data so that they are no longer visible or stored. It can be used for pencil marks on paper, files on a device, or memories in a figurative way.
Usage & Nuances
Common with objects like 'erase a word', 'erase the board', and 'erase a file'. For digital content, 'delete' is often more common than 'erase', though both are used. In figurative use, 'erase from memory/history' sounds stronger and more dramatic.
Spanish: borrarPortuguese (BR): apagar - excluirPortuguese (PT): apagar - eliminarChinese (Simplified): 擦掉 - 删除Chinese (Traditional): 擦掉 - 刪除Hindi: मिटाना - हटानाArabic: يمحو - يحذفBengali: মুছে ফেলা - নির্মূল করা (স্মৃতি, ইতিহাস)Russian: стереть - удалитьJapanese: 消すVietnamese: xóa - tẩy (dấu, chữ)Korean: 지우다Turkish: silmekUrdu: مٹاناIndonesian: menghapus
Example Sentences
Please erase the pencil marks.
basic
He erased my name from the list.
basic
You can erase the file later.
basic
No matter how hard I try, I can't erase that night from my memory.
natural
I accidentally erased the whole whiteboard before anyone took a picture.
natural
You can't just erase years of work with one decision.
natural