nounnoun

la vapeur

steam

Gaz chaud qui se forme quand un liquide devient très chaud et se transforme en air humide.

Word: vapeur

Meaning in English: vapor, steam

Explanation:

The French word "vapeur" refers to the gaseous state of a liquid, most commonly water. It means "steam" or "vapor." It describes the mist or gas that forms when a liquid is boiled or heated.

Parts:

  • Root: "vapeur" comes from the Latin "vapor," meaning steam or mist.
  • It is a feminine noun in French: la vapeur.

Common usages:

  • la vapeur d'eau = water vapor
  • machine à vapeur = steam engine
  • cuisson à la vapeur = cooking with steam (steaming)

Synonyms:

  • brume (mist, fog) – but refers more to the fog or atmospheric mist, rather than steam directly.
  • fumée (smoke) – sometimes confused but refers to smoke, which is different from vapor.

Antonyms:

  • liquide (liquid) – the physical state opposite to vapor.
  • solide (solid) – another physical state opposite to vapor.

Summary:
Vapeur means vapor or steam in English — the gaseous form of a liquid, especially water. It’s a key term related to heat and states of matter, often used in scientific contexts or everyday expressions like steam engines or cooking techniques.

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Examples

La vapeur sort de la tasse.noun

The steam is coming out of the cup.

La vapeur montait lentement au-dessus de la casserole.noun

The steam rose slowly above the saucepan.

J’ai observé la vapeur remplir rapidement la petite pièce.noun

I watched the steam quickly fill the small room.

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