vaporous

adjective

va·​por·​ous ˈvā-p(ə-)rəs 

1

: consisting or characteristic of vapor

2

: producing vapors : volatile

3

: containing or obscured by vapors : misty

4

a

: ethereal, unsubstantial

b

: consisting of or indulging in vaporings

vaporously adverb

vaporousness noun

Examples of vaporous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The dresses, in muted shades ranging from pale pink to pearl gray, cream and black, contrast layers of vaporous tulle and organza with long ruffled skirts and collared capes in satin or taffeta edged with lace. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025

This fluttering, vaporous, slightly mysterious pas de deux was created, in 1980, for the ballerina Merrill Ashley, a technical powerhouse with a hidden lyrical side. —Jillian Steinhauer, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025

On the eyes, shadows come in shades of caramel, bronze, and smoky brown, applied in a halo across the lid to create a vaporous color. —Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2025

Preminger, ever the maximalist, went in the opposite direction with Sagan’s vaporous narrative. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin vaporōsus "full of steam," from vapor "steam, vapor entry 1" + -ōsus -ous

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined at sense 1