vanish
VAN-ish
/ˈvæn.ɪʃ/
To disappear suddenly and completely.
Implies a sudden, clean disappearance that leaves no trace behind.
The story behind the word. From Old French esvanir, from Latin evanescere (to die away, disappear), from ex- (out) and vanus (empty, void).
Word relationships
- disappear: Disappear is a general term, while vanish emphasizes a sudden, dramatic, or mysterious departure.
- appear: Appear means to come into sight, the exact physical opposite of vanish.
Commonly confused with
- fade: Fade implies a gradual loss of visibility, whereas vanish is instant.
Word family
- vanishing (noun): The act of disappearing.
- vanished (adjective): No longer existing or visible.
Collocations
- vanish into thin air
- vanish without a trace
- suddenly vanish
Idioms & expressions
- vanish into thin air
Example sentences
- "The illusionist made the massive elephant vanish from the stage in a split second." A grand stage illusion.
Memory hook
A van full of fish suddenly disappears around the corner. Gone in an instant.
When not to use
Do not use when something slowly fades away over a long period; vanish implies immediacy.
Fun facts
- The 'vanishing lady' was one of the most popular stage illusions of the late 19th century, utilizing a special trapdoor and a wire frame.
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