erasable

Erasable is an adjective meaning capable of being erased. It is used to describe marks, inks, surfaces, or data that can be removed or reset to an initial state. The word combines erase with the suffix -able.

In writing and art, erasable marks are common on pencil and certain ink systems. Graphite from pencils leaves marks that can typically be removed with an eraser; the effectiveness depends on paper, pressure, and eraser quality. Erasable inks, often marketed for pencils, crayons, or specialized pens, claim removability under certain conditions but may fade or smear under heat, sunlight, or friction.

In computing and data storage, erasable memory refers to storage that can be reset or overwritten. EPROM stands for erasable programmable read-only memory and requires exposure to ultraviolet light to erase; newer technologies such as EEPROM and flash memory are electrically erasable, enabling selective or full erasure without UV light.

Other uses include erasable surfaces or labels used for temporary notes, and erasable tapes or films designed to be wiped clean for reuse. In education, erasable boards, such as slate boards, were common historically; modern whiteboards use writable, erasable markers.