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erase
/ɪˈreɪs/
remove marks or data
Please erase the old data from the hard drive before selling the computer.
Remove the information so it cannot be recovered.
general
to remove marks, writing, or images from a surface
She used an eraser to erase the pencil marks from the paper.
She removed the graphite lines from the sheet.
Often used with physical tools like rubber erasers or whiteboard markers.
Technology
technical
to delete data, files, or recordings from a digital device or memory
The software allows you to erase your browsing history automatically.
The program deletes records of websites you have visited.
In computing, 'erase' often implies overwriting data to prevent recovery, unlike simple 'deletion' which may leave data intact.
literary
to cause something to be forgotten or removed from memory
Time has erased the pain of that loss.
The passage of time has made the sadness disappear from memory.
Used metaphorically for abstract concepts like memory, history, or emotions.
Collocations
erase from memoryforget completelyerase the boardclean a whiteboard/blackboarderase datadelete digital information
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Digital vs. Physical
In tech contexts, 'erase' often suggests a more thorough removal than 'delete'. For example, 'secure erase' overwrites data, while 'delete' might just remove the file reference.
Gold Rule
Transitivity
'Erase' is a transitive verb; it requires a direct object (e.g., 'erase the text', not 'erase the text off' unless specifying the surface).
Word Origin
From Old French 'eracer', from Latin 'erasare', frequentative of 'radere' meaning 'to scrape' or 'to shave'.
Usage Notes
Use 'erase' for physical marks or digital data. Use 'delete' primarily for digital files. 'Erase' implies making something disappear as if it never existed.
Word Breakdown
e-
out, away (prefix)
prefixrase
scrape, shave (root)
rootEnglish Dictionary