What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
puff
Example
He took a puff of his cigarette before putting it out. [puff: noun]
Example
She puffed on her inhaler to relieve her asthma symptoms. [puffed: verb]
vapor
Example
The hot shower created a lot of steam and vapor in the bathroom. [vapor: noun]
Example
The liquid nitrogen quickly vaporized into a gas when exposed to room temperature. [vaporized: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vapor is more commonly used than puff in everyday language, especially in the context of electronic cigarettes. Puff is less common and is mostly associated with smoking.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between puff and vapor?
While puff is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, vapor can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.