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.
Farming jobs evaporated as technologies, from fertilizers to combines, enabled greater productivity, automation, and consolidation. — Ali Kashani, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 In facilities equipped with evaporative cooling towers, some of the circulating water evaporates, carrying heat out of the data center into the atmosphere. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, smashing beef with a wooden spoon, until wine is evaporated, surface of pot is almost dry, and meat is finely ground, 12–15 minutes. — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 If, say, a Chinese model developer can piggyback on all the money and computing power those companies have invested, the incentive to keep making new models starts to evaporate. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 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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