eclipse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "eclipse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to either a natural phenomenon in which the moon passes in front of the sun and blocks its light, or a figurative event or period in which something is partially or completely obscured. Example: "The eclipse of the sun cast a dark shadow over the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Watson replied: "Was Clinton telling the truth?" Obeid also denied he told former Lehman Brothers banker Gardner Brook that the family's investment in water infrastructure could eclipse their interests in the Mount Penny coal mine which was thought to have the potential to earn the family about $100m.

The Guardian

There are those in the tourist board who won't thank me for saying this, but you can probably extend the analogy of Antigua's cricketing eclipse to cover tourism.

The Guardian - Travel

Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick against Seville allowed him to eclipse Alfredo di Stéfano's record for Real Madrid.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: Greece debt repayment uncertain amid fresh round of talks There is also a good chance the eurozone managed to eclipse the world's biggest economy, the US, where growth came to a virtual standstill in the first quarter.

The Guardian - Business

Emissions from the likes of China, India and the US eclipse those of Australia.

The Guardian

The corporate dramas of the BBC should never eclipse its actual dramas.

The Guardian

Asked to make a comparison with Ryan Giggs, Coleman suggested that Bale had the potential to eclipse the Manchester United veteran.

The Guardian - Sport

The UK will have to go some way to eclipse northern Chile, which boasts more than a dozen tourist observatories and has some of the clearest skies in the world.

The Guardian

West Virginia didn't eclipse 20 points until the 11 41 mark of the second half.

The Guardian - Sport

In March, the islands will be one of only two places in the world to see the total solar eclipse (the Norwegian islands of Svalbard being the other).

The Guardian - Travel

Most hotels are booked now for the eclipse, but there are still B&B and camping options: see solareclipse.fo.fo

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "eclipse" in a figurative sense, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being overshadowed and by what. For example, "The new product's success quickly eclipsed that of its predecessor."

Common error

Avoid using "eclipse" when the situation is permanent or irreversible. "Eclipse" implies a temporary obscuring or diminishing, not a complete end. Instead of saying "The scandal eclipsed his career," consider "The scandal ruined his career" if the impact is final.

Linguistic Context

The word "eclipse" functions primarily as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the obscuring of one celestial body by another. As a verb, it describes the act of overshadowing or surpassing something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "eclipse" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, functioning both as a noun and a verb to describe obscuring or overshadowing events. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its usage spans across various domains, notably News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, as highlighted by the numerous examples available. While adaptable to informal settings, it is most commonly encountered in more formal or technical contexts. When using "eclipse", consider the nuances of its meaning to ensure precise communication, particularly distinguishing its temporary nature from permanent states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overshadow

Suggests casting a shadow, making something less noticeable or important.

outshine

Implies a brighter or more impressive appearance that diminishes the visibility or importance of something else.

obscure

Refers to making something unclear, indistinct, or hidden.

pale in comparison

Indicates that something is less impressive when compared to something else.

surpass

Indicates exceeding or going beyond something in quality or achievement.

diminish

Implies reducing the importance or prominence of something.

exceed

Denotes surpassing a limit or expectation.

blot out

Suggests completely covering or obscuring something.

fade into insignificance

Suggests a gradual loss of importance or visibility.

becloud

To obscure or confuse an issue or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "eclipse" in a sentence?

You can use "eclipse" to describe one thing overshadowing another, either literally (like a solar eclipse) or figuratively (like one achievement overshadowing another). For example, "The moon will "eclipse" the sun tomorrow" or "Her latest success "eclipsed" her previous accomplishments".

What can I say instead of "eclipse"?

You can use alternatives like "overshadow", "outshine", or "surpass", depending on the context. Each conveys a slightly different nuance of obscuring or exceeding.

Which is correct, "eclipse" or "eclipsed"?

Both "eclipse" and "eclipsed" are correct, but they are used in different tenses. "Eclipse" is the base form of the verb or a noun, while "eclipsed" is the past tense and past participle. For example, "The moon will eclipse the sun" versus "The sun was eclipsed by the moon".

What's the difference between "eclipse" and "occultation"?

"Eclipse" generally refers to the obscuring of one celestial body by another, like the sun by the moon. "Occultation" is a more general term for one object being hidden by another, often used for stars or planets being hidden by the moon. So, all eclipses are occultations, but not all occultations are eclipses.