evaporated; evaporating
Synonyms of evaporatenext

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

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.
Two losing bets would have evaporated the remainder of the season’s profits and brought the home run bets into the red. Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The three goals from Boston actually tied a season high as Bianca St-Georges finished off a cross at the far post from Hanson’s Sammy Smith in the 31st minute to give Boston some momentum that quickly evaporated with Tordin’s final tally. Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026 While Hogan was on an improvement trajectory, those gains have evaporated, to who knows where. Sheila Weinberg, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2026 With infernos burning so hot that water evaporates before even reaching the flames, firefighting operations are devolving, increasingly, into lifesaving operations. John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026 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 12 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

evaporate

verb
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)

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