Etymology Map
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Vapor

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a substance in gas form

Where does the word "vapor" come from? It comes from Latin vapor, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
vapor
Latin · ancient
"steam"
possibly related to Greek 'kapnos', smoke
2
Stage 2 of 3
vapour
Old French · medieval
"vapour"
exhalation or mist
3
Stage 3 of 3
vapor
English · 1300s
"mist"
'vaporware' dates from the 1980s
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Read the full story

Vapor’s story begins in Latin: vapor meant “steam.” Possibly related to Greek 'kapnos', smoke. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as vapour. Exhalation or mist. It reached English by 1300s as vapor. 'vaporware' dates from the 1980s. Today, vapor means a substance in gas form.