Definition

A gas or mist consisting of fine particles suspended in air; the gaseous form of a substance that is normally liquid or solid at room temperature. It can also refer to insubstantial or worthless ideas.

Example Usage

The vapor from the kettle fogged up the kitchen windows within minutes.

Origin

From Latin 'vapor' (steam, mist), possibly from an Indo-European root meaning to sway or move.

Fun Fact

The distinction between 'vapor' and 'gas' is that vapor refers to gases at temperatures below their critical point, while true gases exist above that point.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

Related Terms

Intermediate

jasper

A hard, semi-precious stone, a variety of chalcedony, that comes in many colors including red, brown, yellow, and green, often with distinctive patterns or banding. Jasper has been used for decorative objects, jewelry, and ritual purposes since ancient times.

🎓 Education / Academia
Beginner

gargoyle

A grotesque stone carving, typically depicting a fantastical creature, that traditionally served as a water spout on medieval buildings and was believed to ward off evil spirits.

🎓 Education / Academia
Beginner

varnish

A protective coating applied to wood or other surfaces that dries to a hard, glossy finish; or metaphorically, a superficial covering or deceptive exterior that conceals something less attractive. As a verb, to coat with varnish or to gloss over with an appearance of propriety.

🎓 Education / Academia
Beginner

syllabus week

The first week of classes when professors hand out syllabi and students still have hope for the semester ahead, often featuring minimal actual instruction. It's academia's honeymoon period before the workload reality sets in.

🎓 Education / Academia
Intermediate

Bell Curve

A statistical distribution shaped like a bell that professors use to justify why most of your class got a C, as if mediocrity were a law of physics. It's nature's way of saying average is the default setting.

🎓 Education / Academia
Intermediate

Yawl

A two-masted sailing vessel with the mainmast forward and a smaller mizzenmast aft, typically with a fore-and-aft sail configuration. It differs from a ketch in the position of the rear mast.

🎓 Education / Academia⚽ Sports / Fitness

Translate This Term

See “vapor” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on XShare on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Beginner

retrain

The corporate equivalent of hitting the reset button on your career because your skills have become as obsolete as a flo...