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verb B1 Intermediate Common

eliminate

ih-LIHM-ih-nayt

Eliminate (verb) means to completely remove or get rid of something. Example: “The new filter eliminates almost all bacteria from the water.”

verb
1
To completely remove or get rid of something.
"The new filter eliminates almost all bacteria from the water."
"They eliminated the extra step to speed up the process."
2
To knock a competitor or option out of a contest or list of possibilities.
"She was eliminated in the first round of the tournament."

How to use eliminate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo get rid of something completely, or to knock someone out of a competition.

Common pairings
eliminate the risk eliminate a competitor eliminate waste

Word forms

eliminated past tense, eliminates singular

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Test yourself on “eliminate” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The new filter _____ almost all bacteria from the water.

Etymology

From Latin ēlīminō, literally "to turn out of doors," from ē- ("out") plus līmen ("threshold").

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for eliminate

See all rhymes for eliminate →

Frequently asked questions

What does “eliminate” mean?

The word “eliminate” means to completely remove or get rid of something. In plain terms, to get rid of something completely, or to knock someone out of a competition.

How do you pronounce “eliminate”?

“Eliminate” is pronounced ih-LIHM-ih-nayt (/ɪˈlɪm.ɪ.neɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “eliminate” in a sentence?

Here is “eliminate” used in a sentence: “The new filter eliminates almost all bacteria from the water.”

What part of speech is “eliminate”?

“Eliminate” is a verb.

Where does the word “eliminate” come from?

The word “eliminate” comes from Latin. From Latin ēlīminō, literally "to turn out of doors," from ē- ("out") plus līmen ("threshold").

Is “eliminate” a common word?

“Eliminate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “eliminate” have?

“Eliminate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to completely remove or get rid of something.

What is the difference between eliminate and remove?

Eliminate means to get rid of something completely, so that none of it remains, while remove simply means to take something away from a place or position. You can remove an item and put it elsewhere, but to eliminate it is to do away with it entirely.

What is the difference between eliminate and reduce?

Eliminate means to remove something completely so that it no longer exists, whereas reduce means to make something smaller or less without getting rid of it entirely. Eliminating a cost removes it altogether; reducing a cost only makes it lower.

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