gaseous
/ˈɡæs.i.əs/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Gaseous means in the form of a gas, or like a gas. It describes something that has no fixed shape or volume.
- Oxygen is a gaseous element.
- The leak released a gaseous cloud.
- Water can become gaseous when heated.
Adinary Nuance
Gaseous is more technical than gas-like and more exact than airy or misty. Writers choose it in science, chemistry, and formal description. It often sounds more precise than everyday words like gas state or vaporous.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thể khí
- Spanish
- gaseoso
- Chinese
- 气态的
- Japanese
- 気体の
- Korean
- 기체의
Etymology
Gaseous comes from gas, a word first used in the early 1600s. The adjective form developed later in English, using the ending -ous to mean 'having the nature of'.
Common phrases
gaseous stategaseous substancegaseous emissionsgaseous atmosphere
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is gaseous a formal word?
- Yes. It is mostly used in science, textbooks, and formal writing.
- What is the difference between gaseous and gas-like?
- Gaseous is more exact and scientific. Gas-like is more general and everyday.
- Can I use gaseous in a sentence about air?
- Yes, if you mean something made of gas or present as gas.
- Is gaseous common in spoken English?
- Not very common. People usually say 'gas' or 'in gas form' in speech.