liquefy
Americanverb (used with or without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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liquefactionnoun
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liquefiernoun
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reliquefyverb
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liquefactiveadjective
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liquefiableadjective
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nonliquefiableadjective
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nonliquefyingadjective
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unliquefiableadjective
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unliquefiedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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liquefysimple
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liquefiessimple
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have liquefiedperfect
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has liquefiedperfect
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am liquefyingprogressive
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are liquefyingprogressive
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is liquefyingprogressive
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have been liquefyingperfect progressive
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has been liquefyingperfect progressive
Past
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liquefiedsimple
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had liquefiedperfect
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was liquefyingprogressive
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were liquefyingprogressive
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had been liquefyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of liquefy
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English lyquefyen, from Old French liquefier, translation of Latin liquefacere “to melt” ( see liquefacient); see -fy
Explanation
When you turn a solid into a liquid, like when you set an ice cube in the sunshine and watch it melt into a puddle of water, you liquefy it. You can liquefy a solid by heating it until it melts, and you can also say the substance itself liquefies. A jar of coconut oil that's hard and solid in the refrigerator will liquefy if you leave it on the counter on a warm summer day. The Latin root of liquefy is liquefacere, "make liquid," from liquere, "be fluid," and facere, "to make."
Vocabulary lists containing liquefy
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
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The Hot Zone
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"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 12
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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.
Gallium is a quirky silver metal with low enough melting temperature that it can liquefy in your hand.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026
TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil's projects require onshore facilities to liquefy the gas so it can be transported by sea.
From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026
Foundries, which liquefy and cast metals, can release hexavalent chromium during melting, welding and grinding.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2025
But the company uses the heat generated by the electricity itself, rather than acid, to liquefy the ore.
From Science Magazine • Apr. 30, 2024
In this way, collagen in the body turns to mush, and the underlayers of the skin die and liquefy.
From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston
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.
