volatilize

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈvɑːlətəˌlaɪz/ UK /vəˈlætɪlaɪz/ See IPA manual

Freq #1254069

Meanings

1

verb
to cause a substance to become vapor, or to pass off as vapor

Intense heat can volatilize mercury and release it into the air.
2

verb
figurative and rare: to make something insubstantial or cause it to dissipate

The unexpected evidence seemed to volatilize their confidence in the theory.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to cause a substance to... vaporize evaporate

2 verb · figurative and rare: to... dissipate disperse

Opposites

condense liquefy solidify

Word family

Forms volatilized

Derived forms volatilizedvolatilizablevolatilizationvolatilise

Related forms volatile vapor evaporationsublimation

Etymology

Formed from volatile + -ize. Volatile comes through French from Latin volatilis, 'flying,' from volare, 'to fly.' Chemistry extended the image to substances that readily fly off as vapor; volatilize names the process of making or becoming vaporous.

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives Register & Style

External links

# volatilize

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈvɑːlətəˌlaɪz/
**IPA (UK):** /vəˈlætɪlaɪz/
**Frequency rank:** 1254069

## Meanings
1. to cause a substance to become vapor, or to pass off as vapor
2. figurative and rare: to make something insubstantial or cause it to dissipate

## Examples
- Intense heat can volatilize mercury and release it into the air.
- The unexpected evidence seemed to volatilize their confidence in the theory.

## Synonyms
- vaporize
- evaporate
- dissipate

## Antonyms
- condense
- liquefy
- solidify

## Derived Forms
- volatilized
- volatilizable
- volatilization
- volatilise

## Related Forms
- volatile
- vapor
- evaporation
- sublimation

## Etymology
Formed from volatile + -ize. Volatile comes through French from Latin volatilis, 'flying,' from volare, 'to fly.' Chemistry extended the image to substances that readily fly off as vapor; volatilize names the process of making or becoming vaporous.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Word Formation & Derivatives
- Register & Style

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