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ENGLISH · A WORD WITH POSSIBILITIES

sublimate.

To heat (a substance) in a container so as to convert it into a gas which then condenses in solid form on cooler parts of the container.

9 characters3 syllables approx.English language

Meaning & usage

verb/ˈsʌblɪmeɪt/
  1. To heat (a substance) in a container so as to convert it into a gas which then condenses in solid form on cooler parts of the container. To change (a solid substance) into a gas without breaking down or passing through the liquid state by heating it gently.

    transitive
  2. To heat (a substance) in a container so as to convert it into a gas which then condenses in solid form on cooler parts of the container. To change (a substance) from a gas into a solid through sublimation.

    transitive
  3. To refine (something) until it disappears or loses all meaning.

    broadly · figuratively · transitive
  4. To modify (the natural expression of a sexual or primitive instinct) in a socially acceptable manner; to divert the energy of (such an instinct) into some acceptable activity.

    broadly · figuratively · transitive
  5. To obtain (something) through, or as if through, sublimation.

    archaic · broadly · figuratively · transitive
  6. To purify or refine (a substance).

    archaic · broadly · figuratively · transitive
  7. Synonym of sublime. To raise (someone) to a high office or status; to dignify, to elevate, to exalt.

    also · broadly · figuratively · transitive
  8. Synonym of sublime. To raise something to a state of excellence; to improve.

    broadly · figuratively · transitive
  9. Of a substance: to change from a solid into a gas without passing through the liquid state, with or without being heated.

    intransitive
  10. Of a substance: to change from a gas into a solid without passing through the liquid state.

    intransitive
  11. To modify the natural expression of a sexual or primitive instinct in a socially acceptable manner; to divert the energy of such an instinct into some acceptable activity.

    figuratively · intransitive
  12. Synonym of sublime (“to become higher in quality or status; to improve”).

    figuratively · intransitive
Where this word comes from

From Middle English sublymate, from Latin sublīmātus, past participle of sublīmāre (“to raise, elevate”).

noun/ˈsʌblɪmeɪt//ˈsʌblɪmət/
  1. A product obtained by sublimation.

Where this word comes from

From Middle English sublymate, from Latin sublīmātus, past participle of sublīmāre (“to raise, elevate”).

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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.

Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.