Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To cause a solid substance to become liquid, typically through the application of heat or pressure.
   • To make something fluid or less solid.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To become liquid or fluid.
   • To change from a solid or gaseous state into a liquid state.

Usage and Examples

• Transitive Verb (to make something liquid):

  • The intense heat will liquefy the metal.
  • The process liquefies natural gas for easier transport.

• Intransitive Verb (to become liquid):

  • The ice cream began to liquefy in the sun.
  • Certain gases liquefy under high pressure.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Scientific/Technical Context: Often used in chemistry, physics, and engineering to describe phase changes.
  • The researchers aim to liquefy hydrogen at a lower cost.
• Figurative Use (less common): Can describe something becoming fluid or less rigid in form.
  • Her stern expression finally liquefied into a smile.

Variants and Related Words

• Liquefaction (noun): The process of making or becoming liquid.
  • Soil liquefaction can occur during an earthquake.
• Liquefiable (adjective): Capable of being liquefied.
  • Butter is a liquefiable fat.

Synonyms

• Melt (for solids turning to liquid, usually due to heat).
• Thaw (for frozen substances becoming liquid or soft).
• Fluidify (to make fluid).
• Dissolve (for a solid incorporating into a liquid to form a solution, which is a related but distinct process).

Antonyms

• Solidify: To make or become hard or solid.
• Freeze: To harden into ice or a solid from a liquid state.
• Condense: To change from a gas or vapor to a liquid.

Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations

• Liquefy into: To change form and become a liquid.
  • The wax liquefied into a pool.
• Liquefy by heating: To use heat to cause liquefaction.
  • The compound can be liquefied by heating it to 150°C.

Idioms

There are no common idioms that use the word "liquefy" as a core component. It is primarily a technical term.

Verb

1. become liquid or fluid when heated
   • the frozen fat liquefied
2. make (a solid substance) liquid, as by heating
   • liquefy the silver
3. become liquid
   • The garden air overnight liquefied into a morning dew