English Reference

Word

eroded

Phoneticserod·ed

US/ɪˈɹoʊdəd/

UK/ɪɹˈəʊdɪd/

Definition

adj. worn away slowly by wind, water, or time. You can also use it to describe something like trust or power that has become weaker over a long period.

adj. gradually worn away or destroyed by physical forces or a slow process of attrition. Often used to describe the loss of abstract qualities like authority, confidence, or value.

Examples

“The eroded cliffs look very different than they did years ago.”

“Years of heavy rain have eroded the soil on the hillside, making it difficult for new plants to grow.”

“The public's trust in the institution has been steadily eroded by a series of scandals and a perceived lack of transparency from the leadership.”

Examples

simple

“The eroded cliffs look very different than they did years ago.”

contextual

“Years of heavy rain have eroded the soil on the hillside, making it difficult for new plants to grow.”

complex

“The public's trust in the institution has been steadily eroded by a series of scandals and a perceived lack of transparency from the leadership.”

Usage

Often follows a linking verb like 'become' or 'look'; frequently used in the passive voice when describing the cause of the damage.

Real-World Examples

“That trust appears to have eroded in recent years.”
The Guardian · 8 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/eroded

English Reference