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

Derived Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of vapour

C14: from Latin vapor

Example Sentences

"You could see the vapour trails where they had hit," he said.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

A vapour barrier is placed on top of the insulation, before engineers lay mats containing glycol on top to keep the ice cold.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

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

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2025

Allowing Andrew to voluntarily give up his titles, which theoretically remain in place, gave him a way out, still holding on to a little of the disappearing vapour trail of his pride.

From BBC • Oct. 17, 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