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

It is more breathable but is often installed where a highly-resistant underlay like bitumen felt is already present, stopping vapour from escaping.

From BBC

The climate-damaging vapours left behind by jet planes could be easily tackled, aviation experts say, with a new study suggesting they could be eliminated for a few pounds per flight.

From BBC

“If you get a fire, probably the worst things to deal with when you’re evacuating people are smoke and fumes, vapours, gases that are toxic.”

From BBC

While vapours from fish or seafood and wheat-flour particles in the air can cause allergic reactions, those are exceptions.

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