noun
Uncommon
vapor
VAY-puh
Vapor (noun) means Tiny droplets or particles suspended in the air, such as mist, steam, or fumes. Example: “Vapor rose off the hot springs in the cold morning air.”
noun
1
Tiny droplets or particles suspended in the air, such as mist, steam, or fumes.
"Vapor rose off the hot springs in the cold morning air."
"The kettle let out a cloud of vapor as it came to the boil."
2
The gaseous form of a substance that is normally liquid or solid at room temperature.
"Water vapor condenses into clouds high in the atmosphere."
verb
1
To turn into vapor, or to give off vapor.
"The perfume vapored quickly once the bottle was left open."
How to use vapor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVapor is the misty or gas-like form a liquid takes when it evaporates.
UK vs US
American English spells it "vapor"; British English uses "vapour."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
water vapor
vapor trail
vapor cloud
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like vapor.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- vapors
- Third person singular
- vapors
- Past tense
- vapored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ rose off the hot springs in the cold morning air.
Etymology
From Old French vapor, from Latin vapor, "steam" or "heat." The American spelling drops the British "u" found in "vapour."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “vapor” mean?
The word “vapor” means tiny droplets or particles suspended in the air, such as mist, steam, or fumes. In plain terms, vapor is the misty or gas-like form a liquid takes when it evaporates.
How do you pronounce “vapor”?
“Vapor” is pronounced VAY-puh (/ˈveɪpɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “vapor” in a sentence?
Here is “vapor” used in a sentence: “Vapor rose off the hot springs in the cold morning air.”
What part of speech is “vapor”?
Depending on how it is used, “vapor” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “vapor” come from?
The word “vapor” comes from Latin. From Old French vapor, from Latin vapor, "steam" or "heat." The American spelling drops the British "u" found in "vapour.".
Is “vapor” a common word?
“Vapor” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “vapor” have?
“Vapor” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: tiny droplets or particles suspended in the air, such as mist, steam, or fumes.
What is the difference between vapor and steam?
Vapor is a general term for the gaseous form of a substance that is normally liquid or solid at room temperature, including tiny suspended droplets like mist or fumes. Steam specifically refers to the vapor produced when water is heated, making steam a specific type of vapor rather than a synonym for it.
What is the difference between vapor and gas?
Vapor refers to the gaseous phase of a substance that exists as a liquid or solid under normal conditions, such as water vapor. Gas is a broader term for substances that exist in the gaseous state under normal conditions, such as oxygen or nitrogen, regardless of their state at other temperatures.
Can vapor be used as a verb?
Yes, vapor can function as a verb meaning to turn into vapor or to give off vapor, though this usage is less common than its use as a noun.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include vapor:
