vapor
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a cloud of very small drops of liquid in the air, like steam or mist.
n.a visible suspension of fine particles or droplets in the air, such as mist, steam, or fumes.
Simple“The morning sun caused a thick vapor to rise from the lake.”
In context“As the temperature dropped, a dense vapor began to cling to the valley floor, reducing visibility for the early morning commuters.”
UsageUncountable when referring to the general substance; countable when referring to specific types or clouds.
- 02 C1 Advanced
n.the gas form of something that is usually a liquid or solid.
n.the gaseous phase of a substance that normally exists as a liquid or solid at standard temperature and pressure.
Simple“Water turns into vapor when it reaches its boiling point.”
In context“The laboratory was equipped with specialized ventilation to extract the toxic chemical vapors produced during the experiment.”
UsageCommonly used in chemistry and physics contexts.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.an old-fashioned way to describe feeling nervous, dizzy, or sad.
n.a historical term for a state of depression, hysteria, or nervous faintness.
Simple“In the old novel, the lady suffered from the vapors after hearing the bad news.”
In context“The Victorian protagonist was prone to the vapors, frequently requiring a quiet room and smelling salts to recover her composure.”
UsageAlmost always used in the plural form as 'the vapors'.
Teacher's tipThis is mostly found in 18th and 19th-century literature; modern speakers only use it humorously.
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
v.to turn into a gas or to give off steam.
v.to convert into vapor or to emit substances in a gaseous state.
Simple“The liquid began to vapor as it was heated on the stove.”
In context“The volatile compounds will vapor quickly if left uncovered in a warm environment.”
UsageIntransitive in this sense.
From Middle English vapour, from Anglo-Norman vapour, Old French vapor, from Latin vapor (“steam, heat”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.