Era: meaning, definitions and examples

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era

 

[ ˈɪrə ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in history

A period of time marked by distinctive character, events, or practices. An era is a span of time characterized by particular circumstances, events, or personages. It is often associated with a particular historical period, such as the Industrial Era or the Victorian Era.

Synonyms

age, epoch, period.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
era

Used to denote a long and distinct period of history with a particular feature or characteristic.

  • The Victorian era was marked by rapid industrial growth.
  • We are living in the digital era.
period

A length of time that is meaningful in a particular context, which is generally shorter and less distinct than an era or age.

  • The Napoleonic period was marked by war and conquest.
  • Childhood is a critical period of development.
age

Refers to a distinct period in the history of humanity, often linked to culture, technology, or significant events.

  • The Stone Age is known for the use of stone tools.
  • We are in the age of information.
epoch

Used to describe a significant period in history or a person's life, typically marked by notable events or changes.

  • The Renaissance epoch brought about many advancements in art and science.
  • The founding of the internet marks a new epoch in communication.

Examples of usage

  • The Renaissance era was known for its cultural and artistic achievements.
  • The era of the Roman Empire left a lasting impact on Western civilization.
Context #2 | Noun

in fashion

A particular period in history or a distinctive style or fashion. It is often used to describe a trend or style that was popular during a specific time period.

Synonyms

fashion, style, trend.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
era

Used to describe a significant period in history or in someone's life, usually marked by particular events, characteristics, or changes.

  • The Victorian era was known for its strict social norms.
  • We are living in the digital era.
fashion

Describes popular styles or trends in clothing, accessories, and sometimes behavior, which are prevailing at a particular time.

  • Bell-bottom pants were in fashion in the 1970s.
  • Fashion changes quickly, and what is trendy today may be outdated tomorrow.
style

Refers to a particular way of doing or expressing something, which can pertain to clothing, art, writing, or any other form of expression.

  • Her writing style is very distinctive and easy to recognize.
  • The minimalist style in home decor emphasizes simplicity.
trend

Indicates the general direction in which something is developing or changing, often used in the context of social, economic, or fashion movements.

  • There is a growing trend towards remote work in the tech industry.
  • Eco-friendly products are a trend that’s here to stay.

Examples of usage

  • The era of flapper dresses and jazz music in the 1920s.
  • The grunge era of the 1990s brought a rebellious fashion sense.
Context #3 | Noun

in geology

A major division of geological time, typically longer than a period and shorter than an eon. Eras are defined by significant changes in Earth's geology and life forms.

Synonyms

epoch, geological period.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
era

This is the same as the first 'era'.

  • Refer to the first 'era' for context and examples
geological period

Use 'geological period' specifically for discussing divisions of geological time, often marked by notable changes in Earth's biological and geological conditions.

  • The Jurassic geological period is famous for the dominance of dinosaurs
epoch

Use 'epoch' in a more formal and scientific context to describe a notable period in history or the geological time scale.

  • The invention of the internet marked the beginning of a new epoch in human communication

Examples of usage

  • The Mesozoic Era is known for the dominance of dinosaurs.
  • The Cenozoic Era is the current era, characterized by the rise of mammals.

Translations

Translations of the word "era" in other languages:

🇵🇹 era

🇮🇳 युग (Yug)

🇩🇪 Ära

🇮🇩 era

🇺🇦 ера

🇵🇱 era

🇯🇵 時代 (じだい, jidai)

🇫🇷 ère

🇪🇸 era

🇹🇷 devir

🇰🇷 시대 (sidae)

🇸🇦 عصر ('asr)

🇨🇿 éra

🇸🇰 éra

🇨🇳 时代 (shídài)

🇸🇮 era

🇮🇸 tímabil

🇰🇿 дәуір (däwir)

🇬🇪 ეპოქა (epoka)

🇦🇿 era

🇲🇽 era

Etymology

The word 'era' originated from the Latin word 'aera,' which means 'counters' or 'eras.' In ancient Rome, the term was used to refer to the principal method of counting years, using the AUC (Ab Urbe Condita) system. Over time, 'era' evolved to represent a distinct period of time with specific characteristics or events. The concept of eras has been fundamental in historical and geological studies to categorize and understand different phases of time.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,073, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.