evaporate

verb

evap·​o·​rate i-ˈva-p(ə-)ˌrāt How to pronounce evaporate (audio)
evaporated; evaporating

transitive verb

1
a
: to convert into vapor
also : to dissipate or draw off in vapor or fumes
b
: to deposit (a substance, such as a metal) in the form of a film by sublimation
2
a
: to expel moisture from
b
: expel
evaporate electrons from a hot wire

intransitive verb

1
a
: to pass off in vapor or in minute particles
b(1)
: to pass off or away : disappear
her ardor evaporated
(2)
: to diminish quickly
2
: to give forth vapor
evaporative adjective
evaporator noun

Examples of evaporate in a Sentence

Let the liquid start to evaporate. The heat evaporated the water. The opportunity evaporated before he could act on it.
Recent Examples on the Web Those options effectively evaporated this month when heavily armed gangs attacked the main airport here, shutting it down and locking out Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Amanda Coletta, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 Once the international evacuation from Kabul was completed, the multiple channels of communication that had sprung up between Washington and the Taliban in the years before the U.S. withdrawal evaporated. Asfandyar Mir, Foreign Affairs, 14 Mar. 2024 Cascio walked past a tiny machine for making gingersnaps and a small burglar-proof safe, before stopping in front of a tin evaporating pan, accessorized with rotating brass blades and powered by a wooden wheel. Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2024 While Abigail initially seems meek and innocent, the good-girl image quickly evaporates once the stakes become clear, beginning a power struggle that involves violence against bunnies and Joe Alwyn’s crotch. Shania Russell, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024 The material is placed in a liquid solution, which is then deposited on a chip – once the solution evaporates, the nanomaterial remains in place. David Prosser, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Beyond that, Titan is unique as the only other place in our solar system with its own weather cycle; liquid methane evaporates, forms clouds and rains back down into rivers. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024 The fact that the freshman with bouncy blond curls is the first male member of the Trojan Dance Force evaporates in a symphony of stomping feet and rustling pompoms. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Pass those points, set melting in motion, and our power to undo the coming damage will evaporate. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'evaporate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin evaporatus, past participle of evaporare, from e- + vapor steam, vapor

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of evaporate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near evaporate

Cite this Entry

“Evaporate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evaporate. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

evaporate

verb
evap·​o·​rate i-ˈvap-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce evaporate (audio)
evaporated; evaporating
1
: to pass off or cause to pass off into vapor from a liquid state
2
: to pass off or away : disappear
felt the excitement evaporate
3
: to remove some of the water from (as by heating)
evaporator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on evaporate

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