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.
As Assad’s army evaporated, Syria’s air force and air defense apparatus became fully inactive. Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 The Raiders bounced back from an early deficit but then saw their hopes for a first state baseball tournament victory evaporate during Lake Geneva Badger’s nine-run fifth inning in a 14-3 loss on Monday in the Division 1 quarterfinals of the Wisconsin high school state baseball tournament. Jim Hoehn, Twin Cities, 17 June 2025 By the time of her meeting with Breton, however, the protector and his support had evaporated, and Léona, now twenty-four, was living hand to mouth. Mark Polizzoti june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025 Much of Bill Belichick’s menacing aura has evaporated into the ether, never to return. Tim Graham, New York Times, 16 June 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Evaporate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evaporate. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

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!