erase

1 of 2

verb

i-ˈrās 

British -ˈrāz

erased; erasing; erases

transitive verb

1

a

: to rub or scrape out (something, such as written, painted, or engraved letters)

erase an error

b

: to remove written or drawn marks from

erase a blackboard

c

: to remove (recorded matter) from a magnetic medium (such as magnetic tape)

also : to remove recorded matter from

erase a hard drive

d

: to delete from computer storage

erase a file

2

a

: to remove from existence or memory as if by erasing

b

: to nullify the effect or force of

intransitive verb

: to yield to erasure

erasability

i-ˌrā-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

erasable

i-ˈrā-sə-bəl 

adjective

erasability

2 of 2

noun

eras·​abil·​i·​ty ə̇ˌrāsəˈbilətē 

ēˌr-, 

chiefly British -āzə-

plural -es

: the property or degree of being erasable

erasability is important in good typing paper

compared the erasability of different tapes

Synonyms of erase

Verb

• eradicate
• abolish
• destroy

Examples of erase in a Sentence

Verb

The recording can be erased and the tape used again.

Several important files were accidentally erased.

You can erase the tape and use it again.

She erased the wrong answer from her paper and filled in the correct one.

I erased the chalk marks from the blackboard.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There are countless examples of remarkable women erased by history, but Parton survived her own story long enough to tell it. — Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Still, the closing play couldn’t erase an erratic and largely unproductive day for the Commanders’ offense. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Starters are expected to play only a handful of snaps, but coaches want a crisp, urgent showing to erase last week’s disappointing showing against the 49ers. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Elordi is terrific as Hig, a man whose personal tragedies and grief do not erase his belief there is still something out there worth saving despite all the evidence that good no longer exists. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin erasus, past participle of eradere, from e- + radere to scratch, scrape — more at rodent

First Known Use

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing erase

• dry-erase board

Rhymes for erase

• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase
• carcase

Kids Definition

erase

verb

i-ˈrās 

erased; erasing

1

a

: to rub out (as something written)

b

: to remove written or drawn marks from

erase a chalkboard

c

: to remove recorded matter from

erase a videotape

d

: to delete from a computer storage device

erase a file

2

: to remove as if by erasing

erase an event from one's memory

erasability

-ˌrā-sə-ˈbil-ə-tē 

noun

erasable

-ˈrā-sə-bəl 

adjective

Legal Definition

erase

transitive verb

erased; erasing

: to seal and protect (criminal records) from disclosure