Vapour vs. Vapor — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 19, 2023
Vapour and vapor both refer to a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical point. The main difference is regional spelling: vapour is British English, while vapor is American English.
Difference Between Vapour and Vapor
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Vapour is the British English spelling of a substance dispersed in the air, typically one that is normally a liquid or solid at room temperature. Vapor, its American English counterpart, carries the same meaning but is preferred in the United States. Both terms describe the gaseous state of a substance that is not at a high enough temperature to be a gas under normal circumstances.
In scientific contexts, vapour is used in publications and discussions in the UK and countries using British English. On the other hand, vapor is used in American scientific literature and discussions. Despite this difference in spelling, both terms refer to the same physical state of matter.
In everyday language, vapour is commonly used in British English-speaking countries when referring to phenomena like water vapour or steam. In contrast, vapor is the spelling used in everyday American English, as in "water vapor" or "vapor trails." The usage in different English-speaking regions does not alter the scientific meaning of the term.
Some specific terms may also vary between British and American English. For instance, 'vapour pressure' is commonly used in British English, while 'vapor pressure' is the equivalent term in American English. Despite these variations in spelling, both terms refer to the same scientific concept.
Comparison Chart
Spelling Variation
British English spelling.
American English spelling.
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Usage in Scientific Text
Used in UK and countries using British English.
Used in the United States and American English texts.
Everyday Language Usage
Common in British English-speaking regions.
Common in American English-speaking regions.
Specific Terms
Examples include 'vapour pressure'.
Examples include 'vapor pressure'.
Physical State
Gaseous state of a substance at lower temperature.
Gaseous state of a substance at lower temperature.
Compare with Definitions
Vapour
Moisture suspended in the air.
Morning dew was formed from night-time vapour.
Vapor
Gas phase of a substance below its critical temperature.
The soup pot emitted steamy vapor.
Vapour
A fine spray or mist.
The perfume was released as a delicate vapour.
Vapor
Moisture or fine mist in the air.
The humid air was thick with vapor.
Vapour
Gas phase of a substance below its critical temperature.
The kettle released hot water vapour.
Vapor
Gaseous state of a usually liquid or solid substance.
Gasoline vapor can be highly flammable.
Vapour
The gaseous form of substances that are liquid or solid at room temperature.
Methanol can produce toxic vapour.
Vapor
A substance diffused in the air as a fine spray.
The fragrance diffuser spread a scented vapor.
Vapour
A visible exhalation as mist, fog, or steam.
The cold air was filled with breath vapour.
Vapor
Visible gas or mist such as steam or fog.
The morning vapor shrouded the valley.
Vapor
In physics, a vapor (American English) or vapour (British English and Canadian English; see spelling differences) is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapor can be condensed to a liquid by increasing the pressure on it without reducing the temperature. A vapor is different from an aerosol.
Vapor
The gaseous state of a substance that is liquid or solid at room temperature.
Vapor
A faintly visible suspension of fine particles of matter in the air, as mist, fumes, or smoke.
Vapor
A mixture of fine droplets of a substance and air, as the fuel mixture of an internal-combustion engine.
Vapor
Something insubstantial, worthless, or fleeting.
Vapor
A fantastic or foolish idea.
Vapor
Exhalations within a bodily organ, especially the stomach, supposed to affect the mental or physical condition. Used with the.
Vapor
A nervous disorder such as depression or hysteria. Used with the.
Vapor
To fill or cover with vapor
Perfume vapored the room.
Vapor
To vaporize
“You wished you'd seen one of the monster shots that vapored an atoll way back when” (Don DeLillo).
Vapor
To give off vapor.
Vapor
To evaporate
The fog vapored away.
Vapor
To engage in idle, boastful talk
Vapored on about his accomplishments.
Vapor
Cloudy diffused matter such as mist, steam or fumes suspended in the air.
Vapor
The gaseous state of a substance that is normally a solid or liquid.
Vapor
Something insubstantial, fleeting, or transitory; unreal fancy; vain imagination; idle talk; boasting.
Vapor
(dated) Any medicinal agent designed for administration in the form of inhaled vapour.
Vapor
Hypochondria; melancholy; the blues; hysteria, or other nervous disorder.
Vapor
(obsolete) Wind; flatulence.
Vapor
(intransitive) To become vapor; to be emitted or circulated as vapor.
Vapor
(transitive) To turn into vapor.
To vapor away a heated fluid
Vapor
To emit vapor or fumes.
Vapor
(intransitive) To use insubstantial language; to boast or bluster.
Vapor
(transitive) To give (someone) the vapors; to depress, to bore.
Vapor
Any substance in the gaseous, or aëriform, state, the condition of which is ordinarily that of a liquid or solid.
Vapor is any substance in the gaseous condition at the maximum of density consistent with that condition. This is the strict and proper meaning of the word vapor.
Vapor
In a loose and popular sense, any visible diffused substance floating in the atmosphere and impairing its transparency, as smoke, fog, etc.
The vapour which that fro the earth glood [glided].
Fire and hail; snow and vapors; stormy wind fulfilling his word.
Vapor
Wind; flatulence.
Vapor
Something unsubstantial, fleeting, or transitory; unreal fancy; vain imagination; idle talk; boasting.
For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Vapor
An old name for hypochondria, or melancholy; the blues.
Vapor
A medicinal agent designed for administration in the form of inhaled vapor.
Vapor
To pass off in fumes, or as a moist, floating substance, whether visible or invisible, to steam; to be exhaled; to evaporate.
Vapor
To emit vapor or fumes.
Running waters vapor not so much as standing waters.
Vapor
To talk idly; to boast or vaunt; to brag.
Poets used to vapor much after this manner.
We vapor and say, By this time Matthews has beaten them.
Vapor
To send off in vapor, or as if in vapor; as, to vapor away a heated fluid.
He'd laugh to see one throw his heart away,Another, sighing, vapor forth his soul.
Vapor
A visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance
Vapor
The process of becoming a vapor
Common Curiosities
Do vapour and vapor have the same pronunciation?
Yes, they are generally pronounced the same.
Can both vapour and vapor refer to steam?
Yes, both terms can be used to refer to steam.
Can vapour be used to describe any gas?
Vapour specifically refers to the gaseous state of a substance below its critical temperature, not just any gas.
Are vapour and vapor the same thing?
Yes, they are the same, with the difference being in spelling between British and American English.
In weather reports, would the term "water vapor" be used in the UK?
In the UK, weather reports typically use "water vapour."
Do scientific formulas change when using vapour or vapor?
No, the scientific concepts remain the same regardless of the spelling.
Is vapour used in English-speaking countries outside the UK and US?
Yes, countries that follow British English norms typically use "vapour."
Is vapor used in Canadian English?
Canadian English often follows British spelling, so "vapour" is more common.
Are there different types of vapor?
Yes, different substances can produce different types of vapor, like steam or mist.
Is vapour only used in scientific contexts?
No, vapour is used in both scientific and everyday language.
Is the spelling vapor acceptable in British English?
While understandable, vapor is typically considered an American spelling.
Can vapor refer to a flammable gas?
Yes, vapor can refer to flammable gases like gasoline vapor.
Is it correct to use vapour in American academic writing?
American academic writing generally prefers the American spelling "vapor."
In cooking, would British chefs say "water vapour"?
Yes, British chefs would typically use "water vapour."
Do the terms vapour and vapor appear in literature?
Yes, these terms appear in literature and are used according to the regional spelling norms of the author.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
