What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disappear
Example
The sun disappeared behind the clouds. [disappeared: past tense]
Example
The magician made the rabbit disappear. [disappear: verb]
Example
The keys disappeared from my pocket. [disappeared: past participle]
vanish
Example
The ghost vanished into thin air. [vanished: past tense]
Example
The thief vanished with the jewels. [vanished: past tense]
Example
The ink on the paper vanished after exposure to sunlight. [vanished: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disappear is more commonly used than vanish in everyday language. Disappear is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vanish is less common and may be considered more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disappear and vanish?
Vanish may be considered more formal than disappear, and can have a more mysterious or supernatural connotation.
