erose

adjective

i-ˈrōs

: irregular, uneven

specifically : having the margin irregularly notched

an erose leaf

Word History

Etymology

Latin erosus, past participle of erodere

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of erose was in 1793

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

Eros

erose

erosibility

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Erose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erose. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

erose

adjective

i-ˈrōs

: having the margin irregularly notched as if gnawed

an erose edge of a bacterial colony

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Popular in Wordplay

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Popular Features

erose

adjective

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

multifarious

Popular in Grammar & Usage