# erase

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪˈɹeɪs/ · frequency rank #11,886

## Definitions
1. To remove (markings or information).
2. To obliterate information from (a storage medium), such as to clear or (with magnetic storage) to demagnetize.
3. To obliterate (information) from a storage medium, such as to clear or to overwrite.
4. To remove a runner from the bases via a double play or pick off play
5. To be erased (have markings removed, have information removed, or be cleared of information).
6. To disregard (a group, an orientation, etc.); to prevent from having an active role in society.
7. To kill; assassinate.

## Etymology
From Latin erasus, past participle of eradere (“to scrape, to abrade”), from ex- (“out of”) + radere (“to scrape”). Compare Middle English arasen, aracen (“to eradicate, erase”). Displaced native Old English dilegian.

## Easily confused with
- **ERS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erase-vs-ers)
- **ere** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erase-vs-ere)
- **ese** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erase-vs-ese)
- **eros** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erase-vs-eros)
- **esse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erase-vs-esse)
- **Ernst** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erase-vs-ernst)
- **ERNIE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erase-vs-ernie)
- **evade** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erase-vs-evade)
- **erode** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erase-vs-erode)
- **erased** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erase-vs-erased)
- **eraser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erase-vs-eraser)
- **erasure** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erase-vs-erasure)
- **era** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/era-vs-erase)
- **EAS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/eas-vs-erase)
- **else** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/else-vs-erase)
- **easy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easy-vs-erase)
- **east** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/east-vs-erase)
- **ease** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ease-vs-erase)
- **Elise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elise-vs-erase)
- **eased** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/eased-vs-erase)

## Common misspellings (6)
`earse`, `eraes`, `erasse`, `errase`, `ersae`, `rease`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/erase