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 colder the air gets the less water vapour it is able to contain.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

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

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

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

Then he went out of the back door, closing it quietly behind him, and stood looking out through the quick white vapour of his breath.

From "The Dark is Rising" by Susan Cooper