Evaporate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Evaporate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of a liquid turning into vapor or disappearing gradually. Example: "As the sun rose higher in the sky, the morning dew began to evaporate quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If the money can be raised, then the eurogroup's leverage will evaporate.

The Guardian

(The non-fat part of the milk will evaporate, leaving the coconut oil).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The governing coalition led by the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) – Malaysia's largest political party and the dominant force in the country's politics since independence from Britain in 1957 – saw its two-thirds majority evaporate.

The Guardian - Opinion

The current US need to import 2m bpd, much of it from Saudi Arabia, may soon simply evaporate.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, Terry McAuliffe, the former Clinton fundraiser who epitomises the business-friendly Democrat mainstream, saw his substantial poll lead in Virginia all but evaporate under attack from populists on the right.

The Guardian

The lower the resistance, the hotter it will get – and the faster it will evaporate and the more flavour you'll produce.

The Guardian

His popularity would evaporate overnight; he might be gone in a week.

The Guardian

First unwind in a private steam cabinet: let your skin warm and the stress evaporate.

The Guardian - Travel

The other is an array of pulsed-plasma thrusters which heat and evaporate a material to produce a charged gas to push the satellite along.NASA has plans to offer a $5m prize using a six-unit CubeSat for groups to demonstrate ways both to communicate across large distances and display the effective use of unconventional propellants.

The Economist

If those surroundings are humid, and the temperature is moderate, more alcohol than water will evaporate through the wood into the air.

The Economist

His hopes for a holiday in Bulgaria will evaporate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "evaporate" in a figurative sense, ensure that the context clearly implies a gradual disappearance or fading, rather than a sudden vanishing.

Common error

While "evaporate" is acceptable in many situations, overuse in highly formal or academic writing can weaken your prose. Consider stronger synonyms like "dissipate" or "vanish" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "evaporate" is as an intransitive verb, describing a process of change from a liquid to a gaseous state, or figuratively, to disappear gradually. Ludwig's examples show both literal and figurative usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "evaporate" is a versatile term, primarily functioning as an intransitive verb to describe the transition from a liquid to a gaseous state or, figuratively, a gradual disappearance. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and frequent across various contexts. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Science, with a neutral register that suits both formal and informal writing. While synonyms like "vanish" or "dissipate" can offer stronger impact in certain formal contexts, "evaporate" remains a reliable and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Vaporize

Refers specifically to changing into a vaporous state, often implying rapid transformation.

Dissipate

Implies scattering or vanishing gradually, often used in contexts of hopes or fears.

Vanish

Suggests a sudden and complete disappearance without a trace.

Disappear

A general term for ceasing to be visible or present.

Fade away

Indicates a gradual decline or disappearance over time.

Wane

Describes a decrease in power, influence, or extent.

Melt away

Suggests a gradual disappearance as if melting.

Dematerialize

Implies a loss of physical substance or form.

Be no more

A more formal or poetic way of saying something has ceased to exist.

Pass away

Often used as a euphemism for death, suggesting a gentle departure.

FAQs

How can I use "evaporate" in a sentence?

You can use "evaporate" to describe the process of a liquid turning into vapor, as in "The morning dew began to evaporate as the sun rose". It can also be used figuratively, as in "Their initial enthusiasm began to "fade away" as the project dragged on".

What words can I use instead of "evaporate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "dissipate", "vanish", or "fade away".

Which is correct: "the water evaporated" or "the water was evaporated"?

"The water evaporated" is generally preferred, as it uses "evaporate" intransitively, meaning it occurs without a direct object. "The water was evaporated" implies an external force caused the evaporation and is used less frequently.

What's the difference between "evaporate" and "vaporize"?

"Vaporize" implies a rapid change into vapor, often through the application of heat or energy. "Evaporate" is a more general term for the process of a liquid turning into a gas, and it can occur more slowly and naturally. Vaporize sounds more technical than "evaporate".