vapour

USAGE SUMMARY

'vapour' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a gas that has been cooled until it becomes liquid, or a visible mist that is made up of tiny drops of water or particles of a solid. For example: "The shore was shrouded in a thick vapour rising from the sea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Germans had picked up where they left off against England, their slick exchanges sweeping downfield as Argentinian players gasped in their vapour trails.

The Guardian - Sport

These people are vaping from heavy chrome and black machines with gorgeous industrial detailing, all intricately engraved, and they are generating Flying Scotsman levels of vapour.

The Guardian

A plume of vapour was generated, which gave the same throat-hit sensation you get when you smoke a cigarette".

The Guardian

The water sucking him down turned into a strange, misty vapour.

The Guardian

It will blow away the vapour trails of last night's excesses, with a power second only to, well, starting drinking again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Packs of men (it is mostly men) who call themselves "cloud chasers" gather in rooms with tampered contraptions and compete to see who can generate the biggest fogs of vapour ("It's judged on girth, size, length and overall density," a vaper told reporters during the recent X Games of Vaping at New York's Henley Vaporium).

The Guardian

He woke, suddenly, with an extraordinary idea: what if there were some sort of device that could generate harmless vapour instead of smoke?

The Guardian

This caused a sudden drop in pressure in the synovial fluid between the joints, and the formation of a vapour cavity, or bubble.

The Guardian

E-cigarettes consist of a battery, a cartridge containing nicotine, a solution of propylene glycol or glycerine mixed with water, and an atomiser to turn the solution into a vapour.

The Guardian

Action on Smoking and Health, for instance, says a third of vapers – so called because they exhale vapour, not smoke – are ex-smokers, while two-thirds use tobacco and e-cigarettes.

The Guardian

Beyond fossil fuels Although CO2 is the main driver of global warming, there are plenty of others, such as soot, methane, nitrous oxide and even aeroplane vapour trails.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the output of e-cigarettes, consistently use "vapour" instead of "smoke" to accurately reflect the substance being exhaled.

Common error

Avoid using "vapour" and "steam" interchangeably. While both are gaseous forms of water, "steam" specifically refers to heated water, whereas "vapour" can refer to any substance in a gaseous state that is normally liquid or solid at room temperature.

Linguistic Context

The word "vapour" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a substance in a gaseous state. It can also function as a verb, denoting the action of turning into or emitting "vapour". Ludwig AI's examples show its use in describing physical phenomena and processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vapour" is a grammatically correct noun and verb, commonly used to describe a substance in a gaseous state, particularly one that is typically liquid or solid. As Ludwig AI suggests, the term sees frequent use in scientific and news contexts. It's crucial to distinguish "vapour" from "steam", reserving the latter for the gaseous form of water. Related terms include "steam", "mist", and "fumes". Remember, when referring to e-cigarettes, "vapour" is the appropriate term. With its various applications, understanding the nuances of "vapour" will enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steam

Replaces "vapour" with a more common term for water in its gaseous state.

mist

Refers to a light suspension of liquid droplets in the air, similar to some types of "vapour".

fumes

Indicates gas or "vapour" that smells strongly or is dangerous.

gas

A general term for a substance in a gaseous state, which "vapour" also describes.

evaporation

The process by which a liquid turns into a "vapour".

condensation

The process by which a "vapour" turns into a liquid.

effluvium

Describes a barely visible "vapour" or outflow.

exhalation

Refers to the act of breathing out "vapour" or gas.

volatiles

Substances that easily turn into "vapour" at room temperature.

aerosol

A suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas or "vapour".

FAQs

How can I use "vapour" in a sentence?

You can use "vapour" to describe a substance in its gaseous form, such as "The chemical released a noxious vapour". Alternatively, you can use "vapour" to describe the mist produced by e-cigarettes: "He exhaled a thick cloud of vapour".

What are some synonyms for "vapour"?

Some synonyms for "vapour" include "steam", "mist", "fumes", and "gas", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "vapour" and "mist"?

"Vapour" refers to a substance in a gaseous state that is usually a liquid or solid, while "mist" is a suspension of fine liquid droplets in the air. Therefore, "mist" is a specific type of "vapour", usually water.

Is it correct to use "vapour" when referring to e-cigarettes?

Yes, it is accurate to use "vapour" when describing the output of e-cigarettes. These devices heat a liquid to create a "vapour" that is inhaled, rather than producing smoke through combustion.