Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

efface

/əˈfeɪs/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.55 in modern English

Syllables: ef-face
IPA: /əˈfeɪs/

14

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To erase (as anything impressed or inscribed upon a surface); to render illegible or indiscernible.

Transitive verb

verb

To cause to disappear as if by rubbing out or striking out.

Transitive verb

verb

To make oneself inobtrusive as if due to modesty or diffidence.

Intransitive verb

verb

Of the cervix during pregnancy, to thin and stretch in preparation for labor.

Intransitive verb

verb

Of a woman: to have the cervix thin and stretch in this manner.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"Do not efface what I've written on the chalkboard."
"An outline of the same device might be traced on his shield, though many a blow had almost effaced the painting."
"Some people like to efface their own memories with alcohol."
"The bright records of the last hour effaced all the darker traces left by long and weary days."
"Many people seem shy, but they really just efface for meekness."
"Some females efface 75% by the 39th week of pregnancy."

Etymology

From Middle French effacer (“erase”), from Old French esfacier (“remove the face”).

Word Breakdown

Root: *dʰeh₁-

Usage

Inflected Forms

effaces (present, singular) effacing (participle, present) effaced (participle, past) effaced (past)

Derived Forms

effaceable effacement effacer ineffaceable uneffaced

Phrases

self-effacing

Frequently Paired Words

deface

Synonyms

rub out obliterate erase score out wipe off

Homonyms

aface

Rhymes With

place case face space face-to-face race base worst-case replace grace chase pace

Questions

How do you pronounce efface?: The recorded pronunciation is /əˈfeɪs/.
What does efface mean?: To erase (as anything impressed or inscribed upon a surface); to render illegible or indiscernible.
Where does efface come from?: From Middle French effacer (“erase”), from Old French esfacier (“remove the face”).

How to pronounce efface

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “efface”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/əˈfeɪs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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