efface

C2 Topic:Cause, Change & Process

US /əˈfeɪs/ UK /ɪˈfeɪs/ See IPA manual

Freq #118250

Meanings

1

verb
to erase or remove marks, writing, or visible features

Years of wind and rain had effaced the inscription on the stone.
2

verb
to make a memory, distinction, or impression disappear

No ceremony could efface the bitterness of the dispute.
3

verb
to make oneself inconspicuous or avoid drawing attention

During the meeting, he tried to efface himself behind a stack of folders.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to erase or remove marks,... erase obliteraterub out

2 verb · to make a memory,... obliterate expungewipe out

3 verb · to make oneself... withdrawfade into the background

More remove

Opposites

preserve inscribe emphasize

Word family

Forms effacedself-effacement

Derived forms effaceableeffacementeffacerself-effacing

Related forms deface face

Etymology

From Middle French effacer, 'to erase,' from Old French esfacier, literally 'to remove the face or surface.' The figurative senses extend physical erasure to memories, distinctions, and personal prominence.

Topics

Cause, Change & Process

External links

# efface

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /əˈfeɪs/
**IPA (UK):** /ɪˈfeɪs/
**Frequency rank:** 118250

## Meanings
1. to erase or remove marks, writing, or visible features
2. to make a memory, distinction, or impression disappear
3. to make oneself inconspicuous or avoid drawing attention

## Examples
- Years of wind and rain had effaced the inscription on the stone.
- No ceremony could efface the bitterness of the dispute.
- During the meeting, he tried to efface himself behind a stack of folders.

## Synonyms
- erase
- obliterate
- expunge
- remove

## Antonyms
- preserve
- inscribe
- emphasize

## Derived Forms
- effaceable
- effacement
- effacer
- self-effacing

## Related Forms
- deface
- face

## Etymology
From Middle French effacer, 'to erase,' from Old French esfacier, literally 'to remove the face or surface.' The figurative senses extend physical erasure to memories, distinctions, and personal prominence.

## Topics
- Cause, Change & Process

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