Evaporate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ’จ
Add to dictionary

evaporate

[ษชหˆvรฆpษ™reษชt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

weather

To change from a liquid to a gas, usually as a result of heating.

Synonyms

disappear, vanish, vaporize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
evaporate

Used when referring to the process of a liquid turning into vapor, often due to heat. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something gradually disappearing.

  • The water in the pot began to evaporate when it reached boiling point.
  • All my worries seemed to evaporate after the good news.
vaporize

Used to describe the process of a substance turning into vapor, especially under extreme heat. It can also have a dramatic, often negative, connotation when describing complete and sudden destruction.

  • The intense heat caused the liquid to vaporize instantly.
  • The bomb vaporized the entire building.
disappear

Used when something or someone is no longer visible or present, often without a clear reason or in a sudden manner.

  • The magician made the rabbit disappear.
  • My keys have disappeared; I can't find them anywhere.
vanish

Used to describe something or someone disappearing suddenly and completely, often in a mysterious or magical manner.

  • The ghost seemed to vanish into thin air.
  • All the evidence had vanished by the time the police arrived.

Examples of usage

  • The puddles of water began to evaporate under the hot sun.
  • After boiling the water, it will evaporate and turn into steam.
  • The morning dew will evaporate once the sun rises.
Context #2 | Verb

chemistry

To convert or be converted into vapor.

Synonyms

dissipate, sublime, vaporize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
evaporate

Used to describe the process where a liquid turns into a gas, typically by heating. This is commonly used in everyday conversation and scientific contexts related to water and other liquids.

  • The water will evaporate if you leave the lid off the pot.
  • After the rain, the puddles on the ground began to evaporate quickly.
vaporize

Used to describe the process of turning a liquid or solid into vapor, commonly in scientific settings or science fiction. It often implies a quick or forceful action.

  • The intense heat caused the liquid to vaporize almost instantly.
  • In the sci-fi movie, the laser could vaporize anything in its path.
sublime

In a scientific context, it is used to describe the phase transition from solid directly to gas without passing through the liquid phase. Outside science, it is rarely used.

  • Dry ice sublimates at room temperature.
  • The chemist explained how certain substances sublime under specific conditions.
dissipate

Typically used when something disappears or scatters, often used for feelings, energy, or clouds. It has a slightly formal tone and can be used in scientific, literary, or everyday contexts.

  • The morning fog will dissipate once the sun rises.
  • His anger began to dissipate after he listened to her explanation.

Examples of usage

  • The chemist explained how the liquid will evaporate at a certain temperature.
  • Heat is required for the solid to evaporate into a gas.
Context #3 | Verb

figurative

To disappear, fade away, or be forgotten.

Synonyms

disappear, fade, vanish.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
evaporate

Best used when talking about a liquid turning into vapor or in a metaphorical sense to describe something gradually disappearing, often without leaving a trace.

  • As the sun came out, the morning dew seemed to evaporate within minutes.
  • Their enthusiasm for the project began to evaporate after facing so many challenges.
disappear

Used when something or someone is no longer visible or present, often quickly or unexpectedly.

  • The cat seemed to disappear as soon as I opened the door.
  • My keys always disappear when I'm in a hurry.
vanish

Used when something or someone disappears suddenly or in a way that is difficult to understand; also often implies an element of mystery.

  • The magician made the rabbit vanish in front of the amazed audience.
  • He vanished from the room without a trace.
fade

Often used to describe colors, sounds, or feelings gradually becoming less intense or disappearing over time.

  • The colors of the old painting have started to fade.
  • Her smile began to fade as the bad news sank in.

Examples of usage

  • The memories of that summer seemed to evaporate with time.
  • All her worries seemed to evaporate as she danced the night away.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Evaporation is a cooling process; when water molecules escape into the air, they take heat with them, making it cooler.
  • Everyday examples include drying clothes outside on a sunny day or how sweat cools your skin.
  • The rate of evaporation increases with temperature, surface area, and wind speed.

Nature

  • In nature, evaporation plays a vital role in the water cycle, helping water move from the ground to the atmosphere.
  • Lakes and oceans lose considerable amounts of water to evaporation, influencing weather patterns.
  • Plants also contribute to this process through transpiration, where water vapor escapes from their leaves.

Cultural References

  • The process of evaporation has been depicted in various forms of art, symbolizing change or loss.
  • In literature, the concept often represents fleeting moments, like feelings that slowly vanish over time.

Everyday Life

  • You can find evaporation occurring in your kitchen when cooking, such as when boiling water for pasta.
  • Salt is often produced through the evaporation of seawater, which leaves behind solid crystals.

Origin of 'evaporate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'evaporare', which means 'to be dispelled or to vanish.'
  • It combines 'e-' (out) with 'vapor', referring to steam or gas, emphasizing the transition from liquid to gas.

The word 'evaporate' originated from the Latin word 'evaporare', which means 'to breathe out'. The term was first used in the 17th century to describe the process of converting a liquid into a vapor. Over time, 'evaporate' has become commonly used in various fields such as science, weather, and everyday language to describe the transformation from liquid to gas.


Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,790, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.