vapour

IPA/ˈveɪpə(r)/
IPA/ˈveɪpər/

vapour — noun

  • vapoursingular
  • vapoursplural

1. a mist-like form that a substance takes when it is heated enough to become a gas

1.名詞B1
釋義

a mist-like form that a substance takes when it is heated enough to become a gas; you can often see it as a light cloud floating in the air

例句

After taking a hot shower, Bao watched the vapour rise and slowly disappear.

collocation: water vapour

Nadia poured boiling water into a cup, and vapour rose from the surface.

同義詞
  • steam

    specifically the hot vapour produced when water boils

  • mist

    a thin layer of vapour in the air, often natural and cool rather than from heating

  • fumes

    strong-smelling or harmful vapour, often from chemicals, smoke, or engines

文法句型

vapour + verb (rises, forms, disappears)

a cloud / layer / trail of vapour

用法筆記

Vapour is an uncountable noun in this sense — you cannot say 'a vapour' to refer to one instance. The American spelling is 'vapor'.

常見錯誤

❌I saw a vapour coming from the pot.
✅I saw vapour coming from the pot.
💡Vapour is uncountable, so it is not used with the indefinite article 'a'.
❌The vapour of the morning made everything wet.
✅The morning vapour made everything wet.
💡Use 'vapour' directly without 'of' when describing the source.

2. an old-fashioned expression for a state in which a person suddenly feels very we

2.名詞C1
釋義

an old-fashioned expression for a state in which a person suddenly feels very weak, dizzy, or sick, which people in the past believed was caused by emotional shock or strong feelings

例句

In old novels, ladies often had the vapours after receiving bad news.

historical phrase: 'the vapours' (always plural)

Leo's grandmother believed the vapours came from sudden fear or fright.

同義詞
  • faintness

    modern term for feeling weak and about to collapse

  • dizziness

    a sensation of spinning or losing balance, common in this condition

文法句型

the vapours

have / suffer from the vapours

bring on the vapours

用法筆記

Always used in the plural form 'the vapours' with the definite article. This sense is now very old-fashioned and appears mainly in historical novels or when discussing past medical beliefs. Do not use it to describe a modern medical condition.

常見錯誤

❌She had vapour after the shock.
✅She had the vapours after the shock.
💡This sense always uses the plural 'vapours' with 'the'.
❌I think I have the vapours because I skipped lunch.
✅I think I feel faint because I skipped lunch.
💡Do not use 'the vapours' for modern situations; it sounds strange and old-fashioned.