erase

/ɪˈreɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈreɪs/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈrās British -ˈrāz/ (ame, mw)

erase — verb

  • erasepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • eraseshe / she / it
  • erasedpast simple
  • erasing-ing form

1. to make a written or drawn mark disappear from a surface, typically by rubbing i

1.動詞及物A2
釋義

to make a written or drawn mark disappear from a surface, typically by rubbing it with an eraser, a cloth, or your hand.

例句

Adina erased the pencil drawing from her notebook before starting a fresh sketch.

erase + pencil drawing / from + surface

The teacher asked Mei-Lin to erase the wrong answers from the whiteboard.

同義詞
  • rub out

    more informal, used mainly for pencil marks and common in British English

  • wipe off

    suggests a broader sweeping motion; used for marks on surfaces like boards or windows

  • remove

    much more general; does not imply rubbing or making something disappear completely

反義詞
  • draw

    to create marks rather than remove them

  • write

    to add text rather than take it away

文法句型

erase + noun phrase

用法筆記

Commonly used with classroom objects such as 'pencil marks', 'chalk', and 'whiteboard'. The past tense 'erased' and present participle 'erasing' double the final consonant before adding -ed/-ing.

常見錯誤

❌I erased the paper.
✅I erased the pencil marks from the paper.
💡'erase' takes the mark as object, not the surface.
❌She erased out the mistake.
✅She erased the mistake.
💡'erase' does not need a particle like 'out'.

2. to remove recorded information, such as files, songs, videos, or programs, from

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to remove recorded information, such as files, songs, videos, or programs, from a computer, phone, tape, or other device so that it no longer exists on that device.

例句

Mert accidentally erased the only copy of his wedding video from the hard drive.

passive context: accidentally erased; from + storage device

This software can erase all the data on your phone in under a minute.

同義詞
  • delete

    the most common computing term; can often be undone, whereas 'erase' often implies permanent removal

  • wipe

    implies cleaning a device completely (e.g., 'wipe the hard drive')

反義詞
  • save

    to keep data on a device

  • store

    to keep information for later use

文法句型

erase + noun phrase

be erased (passive)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (REMOVE MARKS): this sense only applies to digital or magnetic media. 'Delete' is more common in everyday computing contexts, while 'erase' often implies a more thorough or permanent removal.

常見錯誤

❌I erased the photo from the wall.
✅I took the photo off the wall.
💡'erase' is for digital data or marks, not physical objects.
❌I erased the document on my computer but it went to the trash.
✅I deleted the document and it went to the trash.
💡'delete' is the standard verb for moving files to trash; 'erase' suggests permanent removal.

3. to force a thought, emotion, or past event out of your conscious mind so complet

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to force a thought, emotion, or past event out of your conscious mind so completely that it seems never to have existed — for instance, making the pain of a loss or the shame of a mistake disappear.

例句

New friendships helped Hari slowly erase the painful memories of the accident.

erase + painful memories / from one's mind

Felipe tried everything to erase the embarrassment he felt after his speech went wrong.

同義詞
  • blot out

    more literary and intense; implies deliberate avoidance

  • forget

    simpler and more common; can be gradual or unintentional, while 'erase' suggests intentional effort

反義詞
  • remember

    to keep a memory alive

  • recall

    to bring a memory back into conscious thought

文法句型

erase + abstract noun phrase

erase + from + memory/mind

用法筆記

This sense is almost always used figuratively and often appears with 'from' ('erase from my mind'). Subject can be time, travel, new experiences, or effort. Negative constructions ('nothing can erase') are common in emotional contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I erased my bad dream.
✅I tried to erase the memory of my bad dream.
💡'erase' takes the memory/feeling as object, not the person's state.
❌The medicine erased his headache.
✅The medicine took away his headache.
💡'erase' is for memories and feelings, not physical pain.

4. to wipe away every piece of evidence that a person, object, occurrence, or featu

4.動詞及物C1
釋義

to wipe away every piece of evidence that a person, object, occurrence, or feature was once present, leaving no proof behind.

例句

The invaders tried to erase every trace of the village by burning homes.

erase + every trace of; concrete destruction scene

The new government hoped to erase the inequality between rich and poor communities.

同義詞
  • obliterate

    stronger and more violent; implies physical destruction

  • eliminate

    more neutral; often used in formal or strategic contexts

反義詞
  • preserve

    to keep something intact for the future

  • create

    to bring something into existence

文法句型

erase + noun phrase

erase + every trace/sign of

用法筆記

Often used with 'every trace of' or 'all signs of' to emphasise complete removal. Can apply to concrete things (buildings, footprints) or abstract things (influence, culture). Stronger and more dramatic than sense 3 (OBLITERATE MEMORY), which focuses only on internal mental experience.

常見錯誤

❌The rain erased the garden.
✅The rain erased the chalk drawings from the pavement.
💡'erase' needs something that was a mark or sign; use 'destroyed' for the garden.
❌She erased the cake she baked.
✅She ate the cake she baked.
💡'erase' is not a synonym for 'eat' or 'consume'.