vapour

[ vey-per ]

noun

, Chiefly British.

1. vapor.

vapour

/ 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. the vapours archaic.
   a depressed mental condition believed originally to be the result of vaporous exhalations from the stomach

verb

1. to evaporate or cause to evaporate; vaporize
2. intr to make vain empty boasts; brag

Spelling Note

See -or ¹.

Derived Forms

• ˈvapourish, adjective
• ˈvapoury, adjective
• ˈvapourless, adjective
• ˌvapouraˈbility, noun
• ˈvapourer, noun
• ˈvapourable, adjective
• ˈvapour-ˌlike, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vapour¹

C14: from Latin vapor

Example Sentences

When a plane passes through cold humid air, the contrails form as the vapour from the engines condenses on unburned fuel fragments in the exhaust stream.

From BBC

When two white vapour trails cross the sky near the front line in eastern Ukraine, it tends to mean one thing.

From BBC

The lower trail split in two and a new object quickly accelerated towards the other vapour trail until they crossed and a bright orange flash lit up the sky.

From BBC

While there is water frozen at the Martian poles and evidence of vapour in the atmosphere, this is the first time liquid water has been found on the planet.

From BBC

The vapour inhaled contains a small amount of chemicals, often including the addictive substance nicotine.

From BBC