devolatilize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Very Low Frequency)Highly Technical / Scientific / Academic (Formal)
Quick answer
What does “devolatilize” mean?
To remove volatile substances or components from a material, especially through heating or chemical processing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To remove volatile substances or components from a material, especially through heating or chemical processing.
In a figurative or abstract sense, can refer to removing uncertain, unstable, or ephemeral elements from a concept, system, or market, thereby creating a more stable or predictable state.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in core meaning. The primary spelling in both varieties is "devolatilize"; the alternative spelling "devolatilise" (with 's') is possible but rare in British English and extremely rare in American English. The process noun "devolatilization" is standard everywhere.
Connotations
None beyond its technical definition.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both UK and US English, confined to the same technical disciplines.
Grammar
How to Use “devolatilize” in a Sentence
[Noun Phrase] devolatilizes (intransitive)to devolatilize [Noun Phrase] (transitive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “devolatilize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The thermal reactor is designed to devolatilise the feedstock efficiently.
- During coking, the coal begins to devolatilize at around 400°C.
American English
- The new catalyst helps devolatilize the polymer more completely.
- Geologists study how organic matter devolatilizes under high pressure.
adjective
British English
- The devolatilized coke is then used in steelmaking.
- A sample of devolatilised shale was analysed.
American English
- The process yields a devolatilized carbon char.
- Devolatilized biomass has a higher energy density.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In financial contexts, 'devolatilize' may be used metaphorically to describe making a market or portfolio less prone to sharp price swings (e.g., 'The new regulations aim to devolatilize the commodities market').
Academic
Used precisely in chemistry, chemical engineering, and geology papers to describe processes where volatile matter is expelled from a solid or liquid substrate.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be used. A simpler phrase like 'boil off' or 'drive off the gases' would be used instead.
Technical
The primary domain. Describes industrial processes like coke production, pyrolysis of biomass, or the thermal treatment of polymers and oils to remove light components.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “devolatilize”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “devolatilize”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “devolatilize”
- Using it as a synonym for 'evaporate' (evaporation happens to a liquid; devolatilization is done *to* a material).
- Confusing it with 'devalue'.
- Using it in non-technical contexts where it sounds jarringly formal.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, highly technical term used almost exclusively in scientific, engineering, and niche financial contexts.
The standard noun is 'devolatilization' (e.g., 'the devolatilization of biomass').
Yes, in a technical sense. A material can be said to 'devolatilize' when it undergoes the process (e.g., 'The polymer devolatilizes at 300°C').
Distillation involves vaporizing a liquid and then condensing it to separate components based on boiling points. Devolatilization typically refers to driving off volatile matter from a solid or a viscous liquid, often as part of a chemical transformation like pyrolysis, not necessarily to recover the volatiles.
To remove volatile substances or components from a material, especially through heating or chemical processing.
Devolatilize is usually highly technical / scientific / academic (formal) in register.
Devolatilize: in British English it is pronounced /diːˈvɒl.ə.taɪ.laɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /diˈvɑː.lə.tə.laɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DE-VOLATILE-IZE: to DE-VOLATILE a substance, meaning to take the 'volatile' (easily evaporated) parts out of it.
Conceptual Metaphor
STABILITY IS PURITY / REMOVING THE UNPREDICTABLE: The process is metaphorically linked to creating stability by removing unstable, ephemeral elements (the volatiles).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the verb 'devolatilize' most appropriately used?