English Reference
adjective

erased

adj.
US /iˈɹeɪst/ UK /ɪɹˈeɪzd/ erased

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    describing writing, marks, or data that have been removed or deleted.

    referring to marks, text, or digital data that have been physically or electronically removed from a medium.

    Simple

    The erased pencil marks were still visible if you looked closely at the paper.

    In context

    Forensic experts managed to recover several erased files from the hard drive that the suspect thought were gone forever.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Academic

    describing a person, group, or memory that has been completely forgotten or treated as if they never existed.

    figuratively describing a person, social group, or historical event that has been systematically ignored or removed from public consciousness.

    Simple

    The book tells the stories of erased women who helped build the city.

    In context

    The documentary aims to restore the erased history of the indigenous communities that lived in this valley before the industrial expansion.

    forgottensuppressedmarginalized
  3. 03 C2 Proficiency Technical

    having a rough or jagged edge that looks like it was torn off.

    describing an object or heraldic symbol that appears forcibly torn off, leaving a jagged or uneven edge.

    Simple

    The erased edges of the old document made it difficult to read the dates.

    In context

    In heraldry, an erased head of a lion is depicted with a ragged neck, as if it were violently separated from the body.

    Usage

    In technical heraldic descriptions, this term is distinct from 'couped', which refers to a clean, straight cut.

Rodrigues performs it mostly naked: she is presenting the body that society wants shrunken or erased.

The Guardian· 13 Aug 2026

On average, borrowers have seen about $74,000 in debt erased.

The Conversation· 9 Jul 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated