liquefy

American  

[lik-wuh-fahy] / ˈlɪk wəˌfaɪ /

verb (used with or without object)

liquefied, liquefying

1. to make or become liquid.

   Synonyms:

   condense, thaw, dissolve, fuse, melt

   Antonyms:

   evaporate, solidify

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liquefy British  

/ ˌlɪkwɪˈfækʃən, ˈlɪkwɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. (esp of a gas) to become or cause to become liquid

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Other Word Forms

• liquefaction noun
• liquefactive adjective
• liquefiable adjective
• liquefier noun
• nonliquefiable adjective
• nonliquefying adjective
• reliquefy verb
• unliquefiable adjective
• unliquefied adjective

Etymology

Origin of liquefy

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English lyquefyen, from Old French liquefier, translation of Latin liquefacere “to melt” ( liquefacient ); -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."

Example Sentences

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

Egypt has facilities to liquefy natural gas that allow the energy source to be shipped abroad.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

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

Lourdes felt the clot dislodge and liquefy beneath her breasts, float through her belly, and slide down her thighs.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García