Efface

/ɪˈfeɪs/

Meaning & Definition

verb
To erase a mark or a memory.
The rain fell so heavily that it began to efface the chalk drawings on the sidewalk.
To make oneself appear insignificant or inconspicuous.
She tried to efface herself at the party, choosing to blend into the background rather than draw attention.
To wipe out or destroy all traces of something.
The new technology promises to efface the need for traditional paper documentation.
To remove or obliterate something completely.
The scandal was so damaging that it took years to efface the company's reputation.

Etymology

From the Latin 'effacere', meaning to cause to disappear.

Common Phrases and Expressions

efface one's memory
To erase or forget something from one's mind.
efface from existence
To make something cease to exist.

Related Words

erase
To remove marks or writing.
obliterate
To destroy utterly.
delete
To remove or erase a file or data.

Slang Meanings

To get rid of something or someone.
He's planning to efface all traces of his old life.
To erase a mistake.
Just efface that last comment; it was a typo.