evaporate

verb

evap·​o·​rate i-ˈva-p(ə-)ˌrāt 

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

i-ˈva-pə-ˌrā-tiv 

adjective

evaporator

i-ˈva-pə-ˌrā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• dematerialize
• disappear
• dissolve
• evanesce
• fade
• flee
• fly
• melt
• sink
• vanish

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

Many say their trust in the government has evaporated. —Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024

The Warriors won the third by 16, evaporating a slow start. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024

Teacher housing helps prevent educators from quitting, districts say Bishop's Jefferson Union High School District saw its teacher shortage problem evaporate after opening the 122-unit housing complex in 2022, said Austin Worden, director of communications and staff housing. —USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024

As would become the pattern, the collective determination to redress the wrongs of slavery evaporated under opposition. —Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024

The last time these teams met, Charlotte saw a 17-point lead evaporate in the game’s final minutes, with Selton Miguel’s 22 points and Brandon Stroud’s late-game heroics proving too much for the 49ers. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024

As a red giant, the sun will likely evaporate the solar system’s inner planets such as Mercury and Venus, although Earth’s fate remains unclear, according to NASA. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024

These devices use a fan that blows air through a moist wick filter; as the water evaporates it’s pushed out of the humidifier as a water vapor. —Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2024

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

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

Kids Definition

evaporate

verb

evap·​o·​rate i-ˈvap-ə-ˌrāt 

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

-ˌrāt-ər 

noun