ENGLISH
REFERENCE

erase

v. · n.
US //iˈɹeɪs// UK //ɪɹˈeɪz// erase
  1. 1 to remove marks or writing (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to rub out something written or drawn, usually with an eraser.

    to remove markings or writing from a surface, typically by rubbing with an abrasive tool.

    Example

    The teacher asked the student to erase the whiteboard after the lesson.

    Example

    She carefully erased the pencil sketches from the margin of the manuscript before submitting the final draft to the publisher.

    Usage

    Transitive; takes a direct object representing the marks being removed.
  2. 2 to delete digital data (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    to remove information from a computer, phone, or hard drive.

    to obliterate data from a storage medium by clearing, overwriting, or demagnetizing.

    Example

    Make sure you erase all your personal files before selling your old laptop.

    Example

    The technician had to erase the entire hard drive to ensure that no traces of the malware remained in the system.

    Usage

    Can be used with the data as the object or the storage device as the object.
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  1. 3 to ignore or marginalise (v.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    to treat a group of people or their history as if they do not exist.

    to disregard or marginalise a group or identity, effectively removing them from public consciousness or historical records.

    Example

    Critics argued that the film's script tried to erase the contributions of women in science.

    Example

    Historians have often been accused of erasing the experiences of indigenous populations when documenting the colonial era.

    Usage

    Often used in the context of social justice or historical analysis.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a common term in modern academic and social discussions regarding representation.
  2. 4 to kill (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang

    to kill or murder someone.

    to assassinate or eliminate a person.

    Example

    In the movie, the spy was ordered to erase the witness before he could talk.

    Example

    The hitman was hired to erase any potential rivals who might interfere with the cartel's expansion into the city.

    Usage

    Transitive; used almost exclusively in the context of organised crime or thrillers.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a highly informal and aggressive term; learners should recognise it in media but avoid using it in speech.
  3. 5 the act of deleting (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    the act of removing or deleting data.

    the specific operation or instance of deleting data from a storage medium.

    Example

    The system log showed a manual erase of the security footage at midnight.

    Example

    A secure erase is required to prevent the recovery of sensitive information from discarded hardware.

    Usage

    Countable; often used in technical manuals.
Origin

From Latin erasus, past participle of eradere (“to scrape, to abrade”), from ex- (“out of”) + radere (“to scrape”). Compare Middle English arasen, aracen (“to eradicate, erase”). Displaced native Old English dilegian.

Word family

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