eclipsenoun
uk/ɪˈklɪps/us/ɪˈklɪps/eclipse noun (SUN)
[ C ] an occasion when the sun disappears from view, either completely or partly, while the moon is moving between it and the earth, or when the moon becomes darker while the shadow of the earth moves over it:
a solar/lunar eclipse
On Wednesday there will be a total/partial eclipse of the sun.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Astronomy
- asteroid
- astral
- astro-
- astrolabe
- astronomer
- gibbous
- heavenly body
- interplanetary
- interstellar
- Jupiter
- Pleiades
- plough
- Pluto
- Polaris
- pulsar
- Uranus
- Venus
- vernal equinox
- wane
- white dwarf
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eclipse noun (IMPORTANCE)
[ S or U ] literary a situation in which something becomes less important:
The eclipse of the ruling political party was inevitable.
His remarkable contribution to literature has been too long in eclipse.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Surpassing in quality or number
- beat
- catch
- catch up
- compare
- crown
- exceed
- go one better idiom
- leave sb standing idiom
- north
- north of sth idiom
- outran
- outrun
- outsell
- outshine
- outstrip
- overshadow
- tower above/over sth
- transcend
- upstage
- writ large idiom
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eclipseverb
uk/ɪˈklɪps/us/ɪˈklɪps/eclipse verb (SUN)
[ T ] to make an eclipse of the moon or sun:
The moon will be totally eclipsed at 12.10 p.m.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Astronomy
- asteroid
- astral
- astro-
- astrolabe
- astronomer
- gibbous
- heavenly body
- interplanetary
- interstellar
- Jupiter
- Pleiades
- plough
- Pluto
- Polaris
- pulsar
- Uranus
- Venus
- vernal equinox
- wane
- white dwarf
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eclipse verb (IMPORTANCE)
[ T often passive ] to make another person or thing seem much less important, good, or famous:
The economy has eclipsed all other issues during this election campaign.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Surpassing in quality or number
- beat
- catch
- catch up
- compare
- crown
- exceed
- go one better idiom
- leave sb standing idiom
- north
- north of sth idiom
- outran
- outrun
- outsell
- outshine
- outstrip
- overshadow
- tower above/over sth
- transcend
- upstage
- writ large idiom
See more results »