Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

eraser

American  
[ih-rey-ser] / ɪˈreɪ sər /

noun

  1. a device, as a piece of rubber or cloth, for erasing marks made with pen, pencil, chalk, etc.

  2. a person or thing that erases.

eraser British  
/ ɪˈreɪzə /

noun

  1. an object, such as a piece of rubber or felt, used for erasing something written, typed, etc

    a pencil eraser
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of eraser

First recorded in 1780–90; erase + -er 1

Vocabulary lists containing eraser

List 1

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The state’s prior enforcement becomes a kind of legal eraser, wiping away the injured party’s ability to seek future protection.

From Slate • Jan. 8, 2026

Gary offered Noah his paddle eraser then toweled off the top of his bare head.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2025

One of his favourite items is a giant eraser from 2009 - a rare item because Ziggy said he "can't find any images of them online".

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2025

I would later teach him the benefits of using a toothbrush, and then a magic eraser years later.

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2024

The pink eraser was held on by a shiny metal collar.

From "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.