liquefy

[ lik-wuh-fahy ]

verb (used with or without object)

, liq·ue·fied, liq·ue·fy·ing.

1. to make or become liquid.

   Synonyms: condense, thaw, dissolve, fuse, melt

   Antonyms: evaporate, solidify

liquefy

/ ˌlɪkwɪˈfækʃən; ˈlɪkwɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. (esp of a gas) to become or cause to become liquid

Derived Forms

• ˈliqueˌfier, noun
• ˌliqueˈfactive, adjective
• liquefaction, noun
• ˈliqueˌfiable, adjective

Other Words From

• lique·fia·ble adjective
• lique·fier noun
• non·lique·fia·ble adjective
• non·lique·fying adjective
• re·lique·fy verb reliquefied reliquefying
• un·lique·fia·ble adjective
• un·lique·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of liquefy¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English lyquefyen, from Old French liquefier, translation of Latin liquefacere “to melt” ( liquefacient ); -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of liquefy¹

C15: via Old French from Latin liquefacere to make liquid

Example Sentences

But the company uses the heat generated by the electricity itself, rather than acid, to liquefy the ore.

From Science Magazine

“When I saw her I felt something liquefy in the core of my body … I had at last met my reckoning.”

From Los Angeles Times

“All I want to say is that I love you so much, I don’t want to be without you,” D’Angelo croons repeatedly, until his language seems to liquefy.

From New York Times

“It allows you to completely throw yourself into things that you believe in and liquefy your anxiety,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

And when it does finally liquefy, the resulting sea level rise will cause apocalyptic floods that displace almost a billion people.

From Salon