evaporate
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
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to convert into a gaseous state or vapor; drive off or extract in the form of vapor.
The warm sun evaporated the dew.
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to extract moisture or liquid from, as by heat, so as to make dry or to reduce to a denser state.
to evaporate fruit.
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to cause to disappear or fade; dissipate.
His involvement in the scandal evaporated any hope he had for a political career.
verb
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to change or cause to change from a liquid or solid state to a vapour Compare boil 1
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to lose or cause to lose liquid by vaporization, leaving a more concentrated residue
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to disappear or cause to disappear; fade away or cause to fade away
all her doubts evaporated
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(tr) to deposit (a film, metal, etc) by vaporization of a liquid or solid and the subsequent condensation of its vapour
Usage
What does evaporate mean? Evaporate means to change from a liquid or solid state into vapor (like fog, mist, or steam). It can be used in a passive way, as in The water evaporated overnight, or an active way, as in The sun evaporates the water on the surface. The process of evaporating is called evaporation. Both terms are typically used in the context of water turning into water vapor. Water evaporates when it changes into steam through boiling, but in scientific terms, evaporation typically refers to the change of a liquid into a vapor at a temperature below the boiling point, such as when water evaporates from the surface of the ocean. In this way, evaporation is an important part of the water cycle. Evaporate can also be used in a figurative way meaning to disappear, as in The family’s wealth has evaporated, and now they have nothing. Example: The dew on the grass evaporates more quickly in the sunny parts of the yard.
Related Words
Evaporate, dehydrate, dry mean to abstract moisture from. To evaporate is to remove moisture by means of heat, forced ventilation, or the like, and thus to produce condensation or shriveling: to evaporate milk, sliced apples. To dehydrate is to remove moisture from a vegetable, fruit, or body tissue: to dehydrate fruit; dehydrated from running. To dry may mean to wipe moisture off the surface or to withdraw moisture by natural means, such as exposure to air or heat: to dry a dish, clothes.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of evaporate
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English evaporaten, from Latin ēvapōrātus (past participle of ēvapōrāre “to disperse in vapor”); see e- 1, vapor, -ate 1
Explanation
To evaporate is to fade away or to literally turn into vapor. If you leave a glass of water out and the water slowly disappears, it's not being consumed by elves; it's evaporating. People often use the word evaporate metaphorically because it produces a strong image of something disappearing like vapor. When the economy goes through a rough patch, funding for projects like education and the arts tends to evaporate or disappear. Your feelings for a mate might evaporate after you spend too much time with him or her.
Vocabulary lists containing evaporate
Words to Know Before You Defrost the Bird
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50 Great Words from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon
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Structure and Properties of Matter - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Evaporate to dryness in an iron dish and ignite at a low red heat in a crucible.
From A Text-book of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines. by Beringer, Cornelius
Evaporate 20 c.c. with sulphuric or nitric acid and examine for metal.
From A Text-book of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines. by Beringer, Cornelius
Evaporate nearly to dryness, and add a drop or two more of nitric acid and 20 c.c. of water.
From A Text-book of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines. by Beringer, Cornelius
Evaporate both, the larger portion in an evaporating basin over wire gauze, the smaller portion in a watch glass heated by steam.
From Lessons on Soil by Russell, E. J.
Evaporate; ignite, gently at first, then strongly over the blast; cool, and weigh.
From A Text-book of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines. by Beringer, Cornelius
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
