vanishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'vanishing' is correct and commonly used in written English.
One can use it to describe something that is disappearing or becoming less and less visible or present. It can also refer to a gradual or sudden disappearance or cessation of something. Example: The population of polar bears is vanishing due to the rapid melting of Arctic ice.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Meanwhile, it's a bit rich of George to take the moral high ground over his dad faking his own death, given that he effectively did the same himself, vanishing for three years and wrecking his parents' marriage in the process.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Football League chief executive, Shaun Harvey, said: "Having seen it used in the recent World Cup, the introduction of vanishing spray into the Johnstone's Paint Trophy will give us the opportunity to observe its use in domestic football so that we can better understand its effect on the flow of the game".

The Guardian - Sport

The vanishing spray, that proved such a success at the World Cup in Brazil, will be used in the Premier League from this season onwards.

The Guardian - Sport

The Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore, said: "At the Premier League we are open to developments that enhance the competition and it was clear from watching the World Cup in Brazil that vanishing spray benefitted referees, players, and all of those who watched the matches.

The Guardian - Sport

It was led by efforts in New York, which hit the limits of a diminishing tax base and vanishing bank loans in 1975 and was pushed to the brink of municipal bankruptcy.

The Guardian

Still, in some cases the reasons why particular species are vanishing remains complex, contentious, and even downright baffling.

The Guardian

Hard currency reserves have plummeted to less than $4bn, and staples such as vegetable oil and sugar began vanishing from stores.

The Guardian

Giles Peaker Giles Peaker, a partner at Anthony Gold Solicitors and housing expert, warns that it's vital to ensure students are given individual, rather than joint tenancies: "If students are on a joint tenancy the guarantors will be joint too, meaning that one poor parent could end up being chased for the rent arrears caused by someone else's vanishing child.

The Guardian

While traces of How to Corp were vanishing, Shapps continued insisting he did not use the name Michael Green while an MP.

The Guardian

Even so, patrols in the red light district were not increased despite one of the 'regulars' mysteriously vanishing.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The solar maximum always seems to occur 15 months before the spots vanish at the poles, so if the vanishing time can be predicted (easy, since the spots move at a steady rate), so can the maximum.Without pretending to understand why this works, Dr Altrock also predicts the solar maximum will occur a year early, in 2000, and ventures further to say it will probably happen in March.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vanishing" to vividly describe something gradually disappearing or fading from existence, creating a sense of loss or urgency.

Common error

Avoid using "vanishing" to describe something that suddenly appears. "Vanishing" implies a gradual or complete disappearance, not a sudden arrival.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "vanishing" is as a present participle functioning as an adjective or part of a continuous verb form. As Ludwig AI shows, it often describes something in the process of disappearing or becoming less visible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "vanishing" functions primarily as a present participle, often acting as an adjective or part of a continuous verb tense. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used to describe something in the process of disappearing or fading away, creating a sense of loss or urgency. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While "vanishing" carries a neutral register, it often aims to emphasize decline, as seen in examples concerning "vanishing" ice or "vanishing" jobs. Related terms include "disappearing", "fading away", and "dissipating", each with nuances of meaning. When writing, remember that "vanishing" implies a gradual disappearance, not a sudden appearance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disappearing

Focuses on the act of something ceasing to be visible or present.

fading away

Emphasizes a gradual decline or disappearance.

dissipating

Suggests a gradual dispersal or reduction to nothing.

evanescent

Highlights the fleeting and temporary nature of something.

on the wane

Indicates a decline in power, influence, or prevalence.

in decline

Focuses on the process of gradual deterioration or decrease.

becoming extinct

Specifically refers to the complete disappearance of a species or type.

ceasing to exist

States a complete end to existence.

petering out

Implies a gradual dwindling until nothing remains.

becoming obsolete

Indicates something is no longer used or relevant due to newer alternatives.

FAQs

How can I use "vanishing" in a sentence?

You can use "vanishing" to describe something that is gradually disappearing or fading away, such as "The polar ice caps are "vanishing" due to climate change."

What are some alternatives to the word "vanishing"?

Some alternatives to "vanishing" include "disappearing", "fading away", and "dissipating" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "vanishing" to describe something that suddenly disappears?

No, "vanishing" implies a gradual disappearance. If something disappears suddenly, consider using words like "disappeared" or "dematerialized".

What's the difference between "vanishing" and "disappearing"?

"Vanishing" often implies a gradual or less noticeable disappearance, while "disappearing" can refer to both sudden and gradual disappearances. "Vanishing" can also carry a stronger emotional connotation of loss.