evaporate

verb

evap·​o·​rate i-ˈva-p(ə-)ˌrāt How to pronounce evaporate (audio)
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 adjective
evaporator noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Behind the scenes: By then, Trump's lead in the polls had evaporated. Dave Lawler, Axios, 2 Nov. 2024 The gear’s 20 cubic cooling units are cut from a porous graphite that pulls water in; when wet, the units’ uneven surface increases the area from which moisture can evaporate, amplifying the body's natural cooling mechanism. Ashley Mateo, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024 How to make brown sugar not hard Brown sugar can clump and get hard as the molasses naturally evaporates. Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 But optimism evaporated quickly as the team stumbled through a double-digit home loss to the Bulls, a defeat to the Nets, and a drubbing in Boston. Brian Sampson, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for evaporate 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of evaporate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near evaporate

Cite this Entry

“Evaporate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evaporate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

evaporate

verb
evap·​o·​rate i-ˈvap-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce evaporate (audio)
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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on evaporate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!