vapor
B2Neutral, with both everyday and technical/scientific usage.
Definition
Meaning
A visible mass of tiny droplets of water or crystals of ice suspended in the air, especially as fog, mist, or steam; a substance diffused or suspended in the air, especially one normally liquid or solid.
Used metaphorically for something insubstantial, fleeting, or lacking a solid basis. Also used in physics/chemistry for the gaseous state of a substance below its critical temperature.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Core meaning is the visible suspension. The metaphorical meaning ('to vanish into thin air') is common. In American English, 'vapor' is the standard spelling for all senses, while British English retains the 'vapour'/'vapor' distinction (see below).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'vapour' is the standard spelling for the noun. The spelling 'vapor' is used in technical/scientific contexts (e.g., 'vapor pressure') and for the verb 'vaporize'. In American English, 'vapor' is used for all senses.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties.
Frequency
The word is more frequent in technical/scientific registers. The metaphorical use ('vaporware', 'to vanish into thin air/vapour') is common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The heat caused the liquid to vapor [verb, US][Verb] into vaporA cloud/vapour of [something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Vanish into thin air/vapor”
- “Vaporware (tech: announced product never released)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in 'vaporware' (derogatory term for a product announced but never made).
Academic
Common in physics, chemistry, meteorology, and engineering (e.g., 'water vapor is a greenhouse gas').
Everyday
Used for steam, mist, breath on a cold day, or metaphorically for something disappearing.
Technical
Precise term for the gaseous phase of a substance below its critical point.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The solvent will vapourise quickly in the heat.
- The plan seemed to vapour the moment challenges arose.
American English
- The liquid will vaporize rapidly.
- His confidence began to vapor under intense questioning.
adjective
British English
- The vapour density was recorded.
- It was a vapour-thin excuse.
American English
- The vapor density was measured.
- He made a vapor-thin claim.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I can see my breath as a white vapor in the cold air.
- The kettle produces a lot of steam (vapor).
- The morning vapor hung over the lake, making it look mysterious.
- Water vapor in the atmosphere helps to keep the planet warm.
- The chemist explained how the vapor pressure of a liquid increases with temperature.
- His ambitious plans for the company seemed to vanish into thin vapor after the market crash.
- The new aircraft's contrails, or vapor trails, were studied for their environmental impact.
- The startup was accused of selling vaporware, having demoed a prototype that never materialized into a shipped product.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
VAPOR: Visible Air Particles Of (Water) Rising.
Conceptual Metaphor
INSECURITY/INSUBSTANTIALITY IS VAPOR (e.g., 'Their promises just vanished into thin vapor.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'пар' (steam) only. 'Vapor' can be any substance, not just water. The metaphorical use ('insubstantial') is not directly translated by 'пар'.
- The spelling variant 'vapour' vs. 'vapor' is a common mistake.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'There was a vapor coming from the pot.' (Better: 'There was steam/vapor rising from the pot.').
- Spelling: Using 'vapor' in a formal British text where 'vapour' is expected (non-scientific context).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the spelling 'vapour' most likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In everyday use, 'steam' specifically refers to the hot, visible water vapor from boiling water. 'Vapor' is a broader scientific term for the gaseous state of any substance, and can be invisible (like water vapor in the air).
It is usually uncountable (e.g., 'a cloud of vapor', 'too much vapor'). It can be countable when referring to types or instances (e.g., 'toxic vapors'), but this is less common.
The verb is 'vaporize' (or 'vaporise' in UK). The simple form 'vapor' as a verb is rare and poetic/metaphorical (e.g., 'His hopes vaporized').
It's a slang term in the tech industry for a product, especially software or hardware, that is announced to the public but is never actually released or widely available.