What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vapour
Example
The hot shower caused a lot of steam to rise, which condensed into water droplets on the mirror. [steam: noun]
Example
The liquid nitrogen evaporated quickly, producing a thick white vapour. [vapour: noun]
steam
Example
The train chugged along, billowing steam from its engine. [steam: noun]
Example
I like to steam my vegetables for a healthy and tasty meal. [steam: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Steam is more commonly used than vapour in everyday language, especially in the context of cooking and power generation. Vapour is more commonly used in scientific and industrial contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vapour and steam?
Vapour is generally considered more formal than steam, which is often used in casual conversation and everyday language.
