erode
/ɪˈrəʊd/ IELTSAcademic
verb
- 1.
To slowly wear away or be worn away by wind, water, or other natural forces. It often describes land, rock, or soil.
- The river eroded the bank over time.
- Heavy rain can erode soil quickly.
- 2.
To gradually reduce, weaken, or damage something, especially trust, power, or confidence.
- Bad news eroded public trust.
- Long delays eroded her patience.
Adinary Nuance
Erode is often stronger and slower than words like wear away or reduce. It suggests a gradual loss, often from repeated pressure, damage, or neglect. In writing, it sounds more formal than everyday verbs like wear down or chip away.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- xói mòn
- Spanish
- erosionar
- Chinese
- 侵蚀
- Japanese
- 侵食する
- Korean
- 침식하다
Etymology
Erode comes from Latin erodere, meaning “to gnaw away.” It entered English in the late 16th century.
Common phrases
erode trusterode confidenceerode over timeerode the soil
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is erode a formal word?
- Yes, it is fairly formal and common in academic and news writing.
- What is the difference between erode and wear away?
- Erode is more formal and often suggests slow damage by natural force or pressure.
- Can erode be used for feelings or trust?
- Yes. You can say trust, confidence, or patience erode.
- Is erode a common IELTS word?
- Yes, it appears often in IELTS Academic reading and writing.