vaporize

especially British, va·por·ise

[vey-puh-rahyz]

verb (used with object)

vaporized, vaporizing 

1. to cause to change into vapor.

verb (used without object)

vaporized, vaporizing 

1. to become converted into vapor.

2. to indulge in boastful talk; speak braggingly.

vaporize

/ ˈveɪpəˌraɪz /

verb

1. to change or cause to change into vapour or into the gaseous state

2. to evaporate or disappear or cause to evaporate or disappear, esp suddenly

3. to destroy or be destroyed by being turned into a gas as a result of extreme heat (for example, generated by a nuclear explosion)

Other Word Forms

• vaporizable adjective
• vaporization noun
• revaporize verb
• unvaporized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vaporize¹

First recorded in 1625–35; vapor + -ize

Example Sentences

“There’s a certain undertone of ‘good riddance’ when kooks like these are vaporized by the earth’s latest ill-mannered guests.”

From Los Angeles Times

While the latter two were essentially vaporized by the fire, the burned shells of the others remain, steel sentinels left ravaged by the flames.

From Los Angeles Times

The plant closures tore up communities, vaporizing what had been stable union jobs.

From Los Angeles Times

It does sound magical that a human being could turn into glass, but far better if studying the Guardian can prevent vaporizing, volatilization and vitrification — or saponification — of anyone else.

From Salon

The chase scenes are shot with cool colors and shadows, but the tension vaporizes soon as you realize that the killer can pop up anywhere, untethered by logic or physics.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annihilate 
• atomize 
• destroy 
• exterminate 
• kill