vaporize

/ˈveɪpəraɪz/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈepɚˌaɪz] /ˈveɪpəraɪz/ (ame, ipa) · [vˈepɚˌaɪz] /ˈvā-pə-ˌrīz How to pronounce vaporize (audio)/ (ame, mw)

vaporize — verb

  • vaporizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • vaporizeshe / she / it
  • vaporizedpast simple
  • vaporizing-ing form

1. to change into gas, or to make a substance in liquid or solid form change into g

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to change into gas, or to make a substance in liquid or solid form change into gas, usually because of strong heat.

例句

The desert sun vaporized the last drops of rain on the sidewalk.

transitive: heat source vaporizes [solid/liquid]

A few drops on the iron vaporized with a sharp hiss.

intransitive: liquid vaporizes on contact with heat

同義詞
  • evaporate

    the everyday word for liquid gradually going into the air

  • gasify

    more technical, especially in industrial or scientific contexts

反義詞
  • condense

    to change from gas back into liquid

文法句型

vaporize

vaporize + noun

be vaporized

用法筆記

Often suggests a fast or complete change caused by strong heat, fire, or an explosion. For ordinary water slowly disappearing from the air, English more often uses 'evaporate'.

常見錯誤

❌The ice cubes vaporized in my lemonade.
✅The ice cubes melted in my lemonade.
💡in an ordinary drink, ice first turns to liquid, so 'vaporize' is too strong.

2. to disappear very quickly and completely, or to make money, hope, or some other

2.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to disappear very quickly and completely, or to make money, hope, or some other result vanish in that way.

例句

Our weekend plans vaporized when the airline canceled the last flight.

plans / hopes / savings vaporize after bad news

Half the startup's cash vaporized after one bad court ruling.

同義詞
  • vanish

    broader and more neutral; it does not suggest the same shock value

  • disappear

    the ordinary everyday verb without the dramatic force

  • wipe out

    informal and often transitive, especially for money or an advantage

反義詞
  • remain

    to continue to exist instead of disappearing

  • build up

    to grow stronger or larger over time

文法句型

vaporize

vaporize + noun

用法筆記

Usually used for things such as plans, savings, leads, chances, or confidence after a sudden setback. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense is about something ending or disappearing, not about a physical target being blown apart.

常見錯誤

❌The clerk vaporized the old files into a new box.
✅The clerk moved the old files into a new box.
💡vaporize means something disappears completely, not that it is simply put somewhere else.

3. to destroy someone or something so completely, often with extreme heat, force, o

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to destroy someone or something so completely, often with extreme heat, force, or power, that almost nothing is left.

例句

The missile vaporized the empty truck at the edge of the bridge.

transitive: weapon vaporizes a physical target

One lightning strike vaporized the old tree beside the barn.

同義詞
  • obliterate

    formal and very strong, often used for total destruction

  • destroy

    the general everyday word, less vivid than vaporize

  • wipe out

    informal and common for destroying people, groups, or targets completely

反義詞
  • preserve

    to keep something from being damaged or destroyed

  • spare

    to choose not to destroy or harm a target

文法句型

vaporize + noun

be vaporized by + force

用法筆記

The object is usually a physical target, and the cause is usually a blast, powerful heat, or some other violent force. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 2 can be about money or plans disappearing, while this sense is about total destruction.

常見錯誤

❌The editor vaporized one sentence from my report.
✅The editor deleted one sentence from my report.
💡vaporize suggests total destruction by extreme force, not a small routine change.