efface
/ɪˈfeɪs/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈfeɪs/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈfās e-/ (ame, mw)
efface — 動詞
- effacepresent simple I / you / we / they
- effaceshe / she / it
- effacedpast simple
- effacing-ing form
1. to remove something completely so that no trace of it remains — used for physica
抹除；消除
完全去除痕跡，使不留任何蹤跡
to remove something completely so that no trace of it remains — used for physical marks, written words, memories, or signs that something once existed
Diego tried to efface the pencil marks from the old map.
Diego 試圖抹除舊地圖上的鉛筆痕跡。
collocation: efface marks
Rain and wind had effaced the names carved into the stone.
雨水和風已將刻在石頭上的名字磨平了。
Amina wanted to efface every memory of that painful year.
Amina 想要抹去那段痛苦歲月的每一段記憶。
The old inscription was almost completely effaced by centuries of weathering.
古老的銘文經過數百年的風化已幾乎完全被抹除。
No apology could efface the hurt he had caused his sister.
沒有任何道歉能消除他對妹妹造成的傷害。
- erase
less formal; the everyday word for removing marks, especially on paper or a board
- obliterate
stronger, implying total destruction so that nothing remains
- expunge
formal, used especially for removing records, names, or unwanted information from official documents
- wipe out
informal; suggests complete elimination, often of groups, places, or memories
文法句型
efface + something
用法筆記
Used for physical marks, inscriptions, or figurative traces such as memories or emotional pain. Often appears in passive constructions ('was effaced by time').
2. to keep yourself from being noticed; to deliberately stay in the background and
不張揚
刻意不讓自己引人注意或突出
to keep yourself from being noticed; to deliberately stay in the background and not draw attention to your own achievements, abilities, or presence
Yuki effaced herself at the party, quietly helping in the kitchen.
Yuki 在派對上不張揚自己，默默在廚房幫忙。
reflexive: efface oneself
Despite winning the award, Soren effaced himself and praised his team.
儘管贏得了獎項，Soren 仍不張揚自己，反而稱讚團隊。
Fatima had learned to efface herself in meetings to avoid conflict.
Fatima 學會了在會議中不引人注目，以免引起衝突。
The new intern effaced himself so well that nobody remembered his name.
那位新實習生低調到沒有人記得他的名字。
Rashida effaced herself behind a quiet smile while others took credit.
Rashida 以一抹安靜的微笑隱沒自己，任由他人居功。
- self-effacing
the more common adjective form, describing a person who does not seek attention
- modest
more general; not specifically about actively hiding achievements or presence
- self-deprecating
specifically about making fun of oneself or downplaying worth, rather than just staying unnoticed
- retiring
describes a shy personality that naturally avoids attention, rather than a deliberate act
- assert oneself
to make one's presence, opinions, or rights clearly known
- flaunt
to show off achievements or qualities openly, the direct opposite of effacing oneself
文法句型
efface + oneself
用法筆記
Almost always used reflexively with 'oneself'. Distinguished from sense 1 by the reflexive object — you efface yourself rather than effacing an external thing. Common in the adjective form 'self-effacing'.