Etymology Map
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Evaporate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to turn from liquid into vapour

Where does the word "evaporate" come from? It comes from Latin evaporare, adopted directly into English (1540s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
evaporare
Latin · ancient
"to disperse in vapour"
'e-', out, plus 'vapor', steam
2
Stage 2 of 2
evaporate
English · 1540s
"to turn into vapour"
'evaporated milk' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Evaporate’s story begins in Latin: evaporare meant “to disperse in vapour.” 'e-', out, plus 'vapor', steam. It reached English by 1540s as evaporate. 'evaporated milk' dates from the 1800s. Today, evaporate means to turn from liquid into vapour.