Evaporate: meaning, definitions and examples

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evaporate

[ɪˈvæpəreɪt ]

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?

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?

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?

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

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.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "evaporate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 evaporar

🇮🇳 वाष्पित होना

🇩🇪 verdampfen

🇮🇩 menguap

🇺🇦 випаровуватися

🇵🇱 parować

🇯🇵 蒸発する (じょうはつする)

🇫🇷 s'évaporer

🇪🇸 evaporarse

🇹🇷 buharlaşmak

🇰🇷 증발하다

🇸🇦 يتبخر

🇨🇿 odpařovat se

🇸🇰 odparovať sa

🇨🇳 蒸发 (zhēngfā)

🇸🇮 izhlapevati

🇮🇸 gufa upp

🇰🇿 булану

🇬🇪 აორთქლება

🇦🇿 buxarlanmaq

🇲🇽 evaporarse

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.

...
15787 hush
15788 mismatch
15789 religiously
15790 evaporate
15791 intruder
15792 centering
15793 evaluative
...