¹vapor

noun va·por \ˈvā-pər\

: a substance that is in the form of a gas or that consists of very small drops or particles mixed with the air

Full Definition of VAPOR

: diffused matter (as smoke or fog) suspended floating in the air and impairing its transparency

a : a substance in the gaseous state as distinguished from the liquid or solid state

b : a substance (as gasoline, alcohol, mercury, or benzoin) vaporized for industrial, therapeutic, or military uses; also : a mixture (as the explosive mixture in an internal combustion engine) of such a vapor with air

a : something unsubstantial or transitory : phantasm

b : a foolish or fanciful idea

plural

a archaic : exhalations of bodily organs (as the stomach) held to affect the physical or mental condition

b : a depressed or hysterical nervous condition

See vapor defined for English-language learners

See vapor defined for kids

Origin of VAPOR

Middle English vapour, from Anglo-French vapor, from Latin, steam, vapor

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with VAPOR

aper, caper, draper, japer, paper, raper, scraper, shaper, taper

²vapor

verb

va·poredva·por·ing \-p(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of VAPOR

intransitive verb

a : to rise or pass off in vapor

b : to emit vapor

: to indulge in bragging, blustering, or idle talk

— va·por·er \-pər-ər\ noun

First Known Use of VAPOR

15th century

Related to VAPOR

Synonyms: blow, brag, bull [slang], crow, gasconade, swagger, boast, vaunt

VAPORER Defined for Kids

vapor

noun va·por \ˈvā-pər\

Definition of VAPOR for Kids

: fine bits (as of fog or smoke) floating in the air and clouding it

: a substance in the form of a gas <water vapor>

Medical Dictionary

vapor

noun va·por

Medical Definition of VAPOR

a : a substance in the gaseous state as distinguished from the liquid or solid state b : a substance (as alcohol or benzoin) vaporized for industrial, therapeutic, or military uses

vapors or chiefly British vapours pl a : exhalations of bodily organs (as the stomach) formerly held to affect the physical or mental condition b : a depressed or hysterical nervous condition