vapor
/ˈveɪpə/ · va·por
noun
- Cloudy diffused matter such as mist, steam or fumes suspended in the air. A thin vapor rose from the hot pavement after the rain.
- The gaseous state of a substance that is normally a solid or liquid. When water is heated, it turns into vapor.
- Something insubstantial, fleeting, or transitory; an unreal fancy, idle talk, or boasting. His promises were nothing but vapor, disappearing as soon as he left.
verb
- To become vapor; to be emitted or circulated as vapor. The heated metal began to vapor, filling the lab with a faint haze.
- To turn into vapor. She watched the coffee vapor away into the morning air.
- To emit vapor or fumes. The kettle vapored steadily as the water boiled.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The British spelling ‘vapour’ retains the original French influence, while American English dropped the ‘u’ in the 19th century as part of Noah Webster’s spelling reforms.