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Glite Dictionary
to volatilize

to volatilize

1 9.6
To change a liquid or solid into a gas that rises into the air
  • verb
  • /ˈvɒlətəˌlaɪz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : volatilizar
  • In the lab, scientists observed that the solvent would volatilize rapidly under high temperatures.

Examples

  • The heat is produced around the time when the flowers open, and it helps volatilize their aroma, which attracts flesh flies seeking a warm spot to lay eggs.

    Academic text (2010)

  • Plywood and particle board can contain glues and binders that volatilize into toxic substances as they decompose.

    Academic text (1995)

  • These additional water treatments, added to the condensate holding tank, are not meant to volatilize into the steam.

    Academic text (1993)

  • During heating, the vapor pressure of oil increases, and the oils are volatilized into vapors.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Intensive fertilization can increase the rates at which nitrogen in the form of ammonia is volatilized and lost to the air.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Recycling occurs when mercury in water volatilizes and contributes to the buildup of atmospheric mercury concentrations.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Volatilizing amines should only be used in systems with well-maintained automatic dosing devices.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Heavy metals such as zinc, lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic volatilize in elemental form, although mercury is often present as mercury chloride.

    Academic text (1993)

  • If the pile gets too dry or the pH goes too high, the gaseous ammonia forms and is lost from the pile as it evaporates (i.e., volatilizes).

    Academic text (1999)

  • When heated, the chemical compound will volatilize, transforming from a liquid to a vapor.

Synonyms

to evaporate
vsto volatilize
45 3.5

Change a liquid like water into gas by heating

is broader, not limited to liquids or solids and causes vapor release
to vaporize
vsto volatilize
  • US
17 5.3

To change from a liquid into gas, usually by heating

causes a substance to pass off as vapor rather than fully convert to gas
to gasify
vsto volatilize
  • Specialized
1 7.0

To change something into gas by heating it or by a chemical reaction

focuses on making a substance pass off as vapor rather than full gas conversion
to evap
vsto volatilize
  • Informal
9.2

To change from a liquid into a gas and disappear

is the standard or formal term for causing vapor to form

Antonyms

to stabilize
  • US
75 4.3

To become steady and stop changing

How Vaporized

to vaporize
  • US
17 5.3
to volatilize
  • Specialized
1 9.6
to evaporate
45 3.5

Surface Forms

volatilize infinitive
volatilized past
volatilized past participle
volatilizing present participle
volatilizes third person singular

Morphology

volatilize = volatile (transparent) = volatile + ize

The verb is a regular derivation from the adjective 'volatile' with the productive suffix '-ize' meaning 'make or render X'.

Etymology

Volatilize comes from the root volat-, from Latin volare, which means 'to fly', and you can see the same root in the word volatile, plus the ending -ize, which means 'to make'. So, to volatilize is to make something 'fly' into the air, that is, to turn it into a vapor.