era
B1Neutral to Formal (common in academic, historical, journalistic, and general contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A long and distinct period of history or time, often marked by particular events, characteristics, or a notable person.
A major division of geological time, typically shorter than an eon but longer than a period. Also used figuratively for a significant period in a person's life, a field of activity, or a cultural movement.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a distinct, self-contained period with a clear beginning and often a clear end. It is often defined by what characterises it (e.g., the Elizabethan era, the digital era) rather than just its duration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use 'era' identically.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[ADJ] + eraera + [of NOUN]era + [in NOUN]enter/begin/start a(n) [ADJ] eraVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “end of an era”
- “dawn of a new era”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The merger marks the beginning of a new era for the company."
Academic
"The Mesozoic Era is subdivided into the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods."
Everyday
"Getting my first smartphone felt like the start of a new era."
Technical
"We are transitioning from the IPv4 to the IPv6 era of internet addressing."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Not standard. 'Era' is a noun; no verb form exists.)
American English
- (Not standard. 'Era' is a noun; no verb form exists.)
adverb
British English
- (Not standard. No adverb form exists.)
American English
- (Not standard. No adverb form exists.)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard. Adjectival form is 'era-defining'.)
- The band produced an era-defining album.
American English
- (Not standard. Adjectival form is 'era-defining'.)
- That was an era-defining Supreme Court ruling.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The dinosaur era was a long time ago.
- My grandmother talks about life in a different era.
- The invention of the internet started a new era in communication.
- The Victorian era in Britain lasted from 1837 to 1901.
- The post-war era was characterised by rapid economic growth and social change.
- His resignation marked the end of an era for the political party.
- The scholar argued that we are exiting the Anthropocene era and entering a new, yet-unnamed geological epoch.
- The ceasefire, while fragile, has the potential to usher in an era of unprecedented diplomatic engagement in the region.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ERA = Events Remembered Always. An 'era' is a period where significant EVENTS are REMEMBERED ALWAYS.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CONTAINER (We are 'in' an era. An era 'contains' events.), TIME IS A JOURNEY (We 'enter' or 'leave' an era.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'эра' (correct) vs 'время' (time) or 'период' (period). 'Эпоха' is a closer, slightly more elevated synonym for 'epoch'. 'Era' is not used for very short periods.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'era' for very short timespans (e.g., *'the holiday era'). Overusing as a synonym for simple 'time' or 'period' without the sense of distinct character.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely to be described as an 'era'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Era' suggests a period defined by a dominant feature or character. 'Age' is similar but often implies a cultural/historical focus (Stone Age, Iron Age, Age of Enlightenment). 'Period' is a more neutral, general term for any length of time and is also a specific geological division shorter than an era.
Yes, often with 'new', 'dawn of a', or 'enter a'. (e.g., 'The treaty could herald a new era of peace.')
It is neutral but common in formal and academic writing. In everyday speech, people might use 'time' or 'period' more casually, but 'era' is still perfectly natural.
Commonly as 'EAR-uh' (/ˈɪr.ə/). In some regions, particularly with certain vowel shifts, it may sound closer to 'AIR-uh' (/ˈer.ə/).