vapour

American  

[vey-per] / ˈveɪ pər /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. vapor.

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vapour British  

/ ˈveɪpə /

noun

1. particles of moisture or other substance suspended in air and visible as clouds, smoke, etc

2. a gaseous substance at a temperature below its critical temperature Compare gas

3. a substance that is in a gaseous state at a temperature below its boiling point

4. rare something fanciful that lacks substance or permanence

5. archaic a depressed mental condition believed originally to be the result of vaporous exhalations from the stomach

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verb

1. to evaporate or cause to evaporate; vaporize

2. (intr) to make vain empty boasts; brag

Spelling

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

• vapour-like adjective
• vapourability noun
• vapourable adjective
• vapourer noun
• vapourish adjective
• vapourless adjective
• vapoury adjective

Etymology

Origin of vapour

C14: from Latin vapor

Example Sentences

"The living forest is closing down," he says, "and not producing water vapour and therefore rainfall".

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2025

That means that as it approaches the Sun later this year, the energy from the Sun will heat the object's surface, leading to blazes of vapour and dust.

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2025

This year the Red Arrows went green as they used a more environmentally friendly blend of fuel, including sustainable aviation fuel and a biofuel for the trademark vapour trail.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2025

For Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, filling the skies above South Yorkshire with vapour trails once more is the shot in the arm the region needs.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2025

The moonlight suddenly failed, as a great black cloud sailed across the sky; and when the gaslight sprang up under Quincey’s match, we saw nothing but a faint vapour.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker