Vaporate vs. Evaporate — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 30, 2024
Vaporate is not a standard term in scientific contexts, whereas evaporate specifically describes the process where a liquid turns into vapor due to heat or reduced pressure.
Difference Between Vaporate and Evaporate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Vaporate is often used colloquially or in error for the word "evaporate," while evaporate is the correct scientific term used to describe the process by which liquid water turns into water vapor.
Vaporate may be encountered in informal discussions or creative writing, whereas evaporate is used in scientific, educational, and technical contexts, describing a phase transition.
Vaporate lacks a clear, defined meaning in scientific literature, whereas evaporate is precisely defined and involves the escape of molecules from a liquid to a gaseous state, often influenced by temperature and pressure.
Vaporate does not appear in standard dictionaries as a recognized verb, on the other hand, evaporate is well-documented and extensively studied in fields like physics and chemistry.
Vaporate, due to its ambiguous and unofficial status, is not typically used in academic or professional settings, whereas evaporate is a fundamental concept in discussions about the water cycle, meteorology, and various industrial processes.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Not a standard term
Process of a liquid turning into vapor
Usage
Informal, non-standard
Scientific, well-defined
Recognition in Dictionaries
Absent
Present in standard dictionaries
Contexts of Use
Colloquial, erroneous
Scientific, educational, technical
Related to
Misunderstanding
Water cycle, physics, industrial processes
Compare with Definitions
Vaporate
A common misusage or typo for "evaporate."
The phrase water vaporates is often corrected to water evaporates.
Evaporate
A phase transition process in chemistry and physics.
Scientists study how different substances evaporate under various conditions.
Vaporate
Sometimes used in informal contexts without scientific backing.
He said the puddle would vaporate quickly in the sun, though evaporate is the correct term.
Evaporate
Essential in discussions of the hydrological cycle.
Evaporation from oceans is a critical component of the water cycle.
Vaporate
Rarely found in formal writing.
You won't find vaporate in professional documents.
Evaporate
Relevant in both natural and industrial settings.
Evaporative cooling is used in air conditioning systems.
Vaporate
Not recognized by scientific communities.
In scientific discussions, vaporate is not used.
Evaporate
Often discussed in meteorology.
Evaporation rates are important in weather forecasting.
Vaporate
Occasionally appears in colloquial speech.
She casually mentioned that the liquid would vaporate, not knowing the correct term is evaporate.
Evaporate
To turn from liquid into vapor.
Water evaporates faster at higher temperatures.
Vaporate
To emit vapour; to evaporate.
Evaporate
To convert or change into a vapor.
Vaporate
To emit vapor; to evaporate.
Evaporate
To draw off in the form of vapor.
Evaporate
To draw moisture from, as by heating, leaving only the dry solid portion.
Evaporate
To deposit (a metal) on a substrate by vacuum sublimation.
Evaporate
To change into vapor.
Evaporate
To pass off in or as vapor.
Evaporate
To produce vapor.
Evaporate
To disappear; vanish
Our fears at last evaporated.
Evaporate
(ambitransitive) to transition from a liquid state into a gaseous state
Evaporate
(transitive) to expel moisture from (usually by means of artificial heat), leaving the solid portion
To evaporate apples
Evaporate
To give vent to; to dissipate
Evaporate
To disappear; to escape or pass off without effect
Evaporate
To pass off in vapor, as a fluid; to escape and be dissipated, either in visible vapor, or in particles too minute to be visible.
Evaporate
To escape or pass off without effect; to be dissipated; to be wasted, as, the spirit of a writer often evaporates in the process of translation.
To give moderate liberty for griefs and discontents to evaporate . . . is a safe way.
Evaporate
To convert from a liquid or solid state into vapor (usually) by the agency of heat; to dissipate in vapor or fumes.
Evaporate
To expel moisture from (usually by means of artificial heat), leaving the solid portion; to subject to evaporation; as, to evaporate apples.
Evaporate
To give vent to; to dissipate.
My lord of Essex evaporated his thoughts in a sonnet.
Evaporate
Dispersed in vapors.
Evaporate
Lose or cause to lose liquid by vaporization leaving a more concentrated residue;
Evaporate milk
Evaporate
Cause to change into a vapor;
The chemist evaporated the water
Evaporate
Change into a vapor;
The water evaporated in front of our eyes
Common Curiosities
What does evaporate mean?
It refers to the process where liquid turns into vapor.
How is evaporate used in science?
It describes a phase transition from liquid to gas.
What processes involve evaporation?
Processes like the water cycle and industrial cooling involve evaporation.
Is vaporate recognized in scientific dictionaries?
No, vaporate is not recognized in scientific literature.
Does vaporate have any scientific basis?
No, it does not have a scientific basis and is considered incorrect.
What is vaporate?
It is often a misused term for evaporate.
Why is evaporate important in meteorology?
It helps in understanding and predicting weather patterns.
How does temperature affect evaporation?
Higher temperatures generally increase evaporation rates.
Are there any synonyms for evaporate?
Yes, synonyms include vaporize and distill.
Is there a technical term similar to evaporate?
Yes, sublimation, though it involves solid to gas without becoming liquid.
Can I use vaporate in academic writing?
No, it is recommended to use "evaporate" in academic contexts.
What industries use evaporation?
Industries like chemical processing and weather forecasting use evaporation.
Can evaporation occur under any atmospheric conditions?
Yes, but rates vary widely based on humidity and temperature.
What is the difference between evaporation and boiling?
Evaporation occurs at any temperature, while boiling happens at a specific boiling point.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
