What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
steam
Example
The tea kettle is producing steam. [steam: noun]
Example
I need to steam the vegetables for dinner. [steam: verb]
Example
The steam engine revolutionized transportation in the 19th century. [steam: noun]
vapor
Example
The vapor from the boiling water condensed on the window. [vapor: noun]
Example
The dry ice sublimated into vapor. [vapor: noun]
Example
The morning mist was a result of the high humidity. [vapor: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Steam is more commonly used than vapor in everyday language, especially in the context of cooking and power generation. Vapor is more commonly used in scientific and technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between steam and vapor?
Vapor is generally considered more formal than steam, as it is often used in scientific and technical fields. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.
