What does sublimate mean?
“Sublimate” most commonly describes a physical change in which a solid turns directly into vapour and then condenses back into a solid without becoming liquid. Dry ice is the familiar example: at ordinary atmospheric pressure, it produces fog as carbon dioxide passes directly from solid to gas. The verb also has a figurative use meaning to refine, transform, or elevate something, often by removing distracting or less essential elements. For instance, an editor might sublimate a lengthy account into a short essay. The technical sense is standard in chemistry, physics, and materials science, while the figurative sense is formal and somewhat literary. In both uses, the word carries an implication of transformation, and its scientific meaning is specifically associated with a change of state that avoids the liquid phase.
verbTo convert a solid substance into vapour and then back into a solid form without passing through a liquid phase. By extension, it means to transform or elevate something into a refined or idealized form.
- To convert a solid substance into vapour and then back into a solid form without melting it.
- To transform, refine, or elevate something into a more idealized or impressive form.
"Dry ice sublimes at atmospheric pressure, producing a thin fog rather than liquid water."
"The frozen sample sublimed under vacuum, leaving a dry residue."
"The editor tried to sublimate the sprawling novel into a concise, compelling essay."
Dry ice does not melt: it turns straight from solid carbon dioxide into gas, a process called sublimation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sublimate come from?
The word comes from Latin sublimare, meaning “to raise” or “make lofty,” derived from sublimis, “lofty” or “sublime.” The Latin root combines sub-, meaning “under” or “beneath,” with limen, a threshold, reflecting an image of raising something to a higher level. English borrowed the word in the sense of making something sublime and later established its scientific meaning for a solid-to-vapour transformation. Related English forms include “sublime,” “sublimity,” and “subliminal.”
Related word forms
How sublimate is actually used
In chemistry and materials science, the word has a precise technical meaning. In figurative use, it suggests refinement or transformation into a more elevated form and is somewhat formal.
Easily confused with sublimate
As a verb, “sublimate” means to transform a substance through direct change between solid and vapour or to refine something; “sublime” is an adjective meaning magnificent or lofty and a verb meaning to make sublime.