Vanish

Definition

Vanish refers to the act of disappearing suddenly and completely, especially when it is impossible to discern the whereabouts or cause of the disappearance.

Parts of Speech

• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈvænɪʃ/
• Respelling: VAN-ish (where "VAN" rhymes with "pan" and "ish" as in "wish")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈvænɪʃ/
• Respelling: VAN-ish (similar to American English, with "VAN" rhyming with "pan" and "ish" like in "wish")

In both dialects, "vanish" has a similar pronunciation. The word is characterized by the short "a" sound in the first syllable, as found in "cat" or "hat," followed by "ish," which is common in English words like "fish" or "dish."

Etymology

The term "vanish" comes from the Old French "esvanir" (12c., Modern French "évanouir") which means "to disappear." This is a compound of "ex-" (out) and "vanir" which means "to disappear", derived from the Latin "evanescere" meaning "disappear, pass away, die out."

Derivatives

• Vanisher
• Vanishing
• Vanishable
• Vanished
• Vanishingly

Synonyms

• Disappear
• Evaporate
• Dissolve

Antonyms

• Appear
• Materialize
• Emerge

Usage

• "The magician made the rabbit vanish into thin air."
• "As the sun set, the colors in the sky slowly began to vanish."

Related Terms

• Invisible
• Conceal
• Fade
• Disintegrate
• Dissipate

Detailed Definition

Verb

• Disappear Suddenly and Completely: To cease to exist or be in sight, especially in a rapid and unexpected manner.
• Example: The stars vanish when the sun rises.

• Cease to Exist: To come to an end, especially suddenly or unexpectedly.
• Example: The ancient civilization vanished without a trace.

• Mathematics (of a quantity) Become Zero: In mathematics, especially in limits, to approach zero as a value.
• Example: As x approaches infinity, the value of 1/x vanishes.