Vape Glossary: Must-Know Terms Every Vaper Should Understand

Let’s be honest — the world of vaping has its own language, and a comprehensive vaping glossary can be your best friend. Whether you’re just making the switch from smoking or you’ve been customising your mod setup for years, getting familiar with vape terms can make your experience smoother, safer and a whole lot more enjoyable. This guide is your go-to vape glossary, breaking down more than 70 essential terms by category so you can vape smart.

Vape Devices & Hardware

Let’s start with the basics — your gear.

1. 510 Connection – The standard screw thread that lets tanks and mods from different brands work together.
2. Box Mod – A powerful, often boxy device that lets you adjust settings like wattage and temperature.
3. Pod System – Compact and user-friendly kits that use refillable or pre-filled pods.
4. Clearomiser – A see-through tank that shows your e-liquid level at a glance.
5. Drip Tip – The removable mouthpiece you vape through.
6. Auto-Draw – A feature that activates your vape as you inhale — no buttons needed.
7. Squonk Mod – A device with a built-in e-liquid bottle for easy juice delivery to the atomiser.
8. Pass-Through Vaping – Lets you vape while your device charges — handy for busy days.
9. Firmware Upgradable – Some devices allow software updates via USB for new features.
10. E cig – A term for electronic cigarettes, including various types like cigalikes and advanced personal vaporisers (APVS).
11. Light-emitting diode – A component that indicates operation or battery status, mimicking the glow of traditional cigarettes.
12. Vape kits – Comprehensive packages that include all essential components needed to start vaping, available in various designs and functionalities.
13. Vape device – A broad term for equipment designed for vaping, highlighting its modernity compared to traditional cigarettes.
14. Pen style – Vaping devices that resemble traditional pens in size and shape, known for their portability and convenience.
15. Bottom coil clearomiser – A clearomiser with the coil positioned at the bottom, enhancing vapour production and flavour.
16. Atomiser and battery holder – These are Essential components of e-cigarettes. The atomiser converts e-liquid into vapour, and the battery holder powers the atomiser.
17. Advanced personal vaporiser – A type of vaporiser with separate components like a tank, battery, and atomiser, offering more complexity than simpler e-cigarette designs.
18. Rebuildable tank atomiser – An atomiser designed for crafting custom coils within a standard tank setup, allowing for user modification and replacement of components.
19. Prefilled pod kits – These vape kits come with pre-filled, non-refillable pods, offering convenience and simplicity for new vapers.
20. Pod vape – Refillable pod vape kits are suitable for new vapers, offering a rechargeable alternative to disposables with built-in coils.
21. Mechanical mod – Vaping devices that lack regulation circuits, catering to high-power vaping enthusiasts.
22. Dual coil clearomiser – A clearomiser featuring two coils, enhancing vapour production and providing a more pronounced throat hit.
23. Bottom dual coil clearomiser – A type of clearomiser with two coils positioned at the bottom, enhancing vapour production and throat hit.

Coils, Wires & Power

Understanding how your vape heats up helps you get the most from every puff.

1. Coil – The wire that heats up to turn e-liquid into vapour.
2. Wick – Usually made of cotton, it soaks up your juice for the coil to heat.
3. Kanthal – A durable wire type often used for coil builds.
4. Mesh Coil – A fine mesh that heats evenly and enhances flavour.
5. Clapton Coil – A fancy coil design that boosts vapour and flavour.
6. Ohm – A measurement of electrical resistance. Lower ohms = more vapour.
7. Sub-Ohm Vaping – Using coils under 1.0 ohm to produce big clouds.
8. Ohm’s Law – Key for advanced users building their own setups safely.
9. Dry Burn – Firing a coil without juice to clean it (best done with caution).
10. Priming the Coil – Manually soaking the coil before use to avoid burnt hits.
11. Variable Voltage – A feature in vaping devices that allows users to adjust the voltage output to customise their experience.
12. Low Resistance – Coils with resistance levels under 1 ohm, used in sub-ohm vaping to produce larger vapour clouds.
13. Wicking Material – Absorbent material that draws e-liquid to the coil, ensuring smooth airflow and preventing dry hits.
14. Atomiser Wick – A small mesh bridge that transports e-liquid to the atomiser, playing a crucial role in the vaping experience.

Styles, Techniques & Flavours

Vaping isn’t one-size-fits-all — here’s how people enjoy it differently.

1. MTL (Mouth-to-Lung) – Similar to cigarette smoking; vapour goes from the mouth to the lungs.
2. DTL (Direct-to-Lung) – A deeper inhale straight to the lungs; ideal for bigger clouds.
3. ADV (All Day Vape) – A flavour you can enjoy all day without it becoming too much.
4. Vape Tongue – When you temporarily lose the ability to taste e-liquid flavours.
5. Cloud Chasing – Vaping with the goal of producing massive vapour clouds.
6. Throat Hit – The tingling feeling at the back of the throat when vaping.
7. Vaping Technique – There are various methods of inhaling vapour, such as direct-to-lung (DTL) and mouth-to-lung (MTL).
8. Vaping Style – Different inhalation techniques that cater to various preferences and experiences among vapers.
9. Vapour Escapes – A technique where vapour escapes the mouth before inhaling through the nose, such as the French Hit method.

E-Liquids & Propylene Glycol

What’s inside your vape really matters.

1. E-Liquid / E-Juice – A mix of flavour, nicotine (optional), PG and VG.
2. PG (Propylene Glycol) – Carries flavour and gives a stronger throat hit.
3. VG (Vegetable Glycerin) – Smoother vapour, ideal for thick clouds.
4. Nicotine Salts – A form of nicotine that’s smoother at higher strengths.
5. Shortfill – Nicotine-free juice bottles with space to add a nicotine shot.
6. Nic Shot – A small bottle of pure nicotine added to shortfills.
7. High VG E-Liquid – Perfect for sub-ohm vaping and cloud production.
8. Vegetable Glycerin – A component of e-liquids that enhances vapour density and sweetness, producing larger vapour clouds.
9. Vape Liquid – Another term for e-liquid, essential for the functionality and enjoyment of e-cigarettes.
10. Turns E Liquid – The process by which the atomiser heats e-liquid into vapour.
11. Too Much Liquid – Overfilling a cartridge can lead to leaking, emphasising the importance of maintaining the right liquid level.
12. Base Liquid – The foundational mixture of ingredients in e-liquids, primarily comprised of vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG).
13. Colourless Liquid – Describes propylene glycol, a base ingredient in e-liquids with a slightly sweet taste and lower viscosity.
14. Nicotine Strength – Various nicotine concentrations in e-liquids are essential for personal preferences and cravings.

Advanced & Custom Builds

Into tweaking your vape? Here’s your toolkit.

1. Rebuildables – A general term for RDAS and RTAS that you customise yourself.
2. RDA (Rebuildable Dripping Atomiser) – An atomiser for crafting homemade coils, enhancing customisation and intricate setups. Manually drip juice on your coil for max flavour.
3. RTA (Rebuildable Tank Atomiser) – Like an RDA, but with a juice tank built-in.
4. Hybrid Mod – Directly connects atomiser to battery; not beginner-friendly.
5. DNA Chip – A premium chipset for advanced customisation.
6. Temperature Control (TC) – Lets you set coil temp for consistency and safety.
7. Variable Wattage (VW) – Adjust power output to suit your preference.
8. Joules – A unit of energy used in temperature control mode.
9. Temperature Control Mods – Advanced devices that allow users to set a specific temperature for their atomisers, enhancing flavour and reducing dry hits.
10. Battery Capacity – The energy storage capability of lithium-ion batteries in vaping devices, measured in milliamp hours (mAh).

Troubleshooting & Maintenance

Here are a few helpful terms when things go sideways.

1. Dry Hit – A burnt taste from not enough juice on the coil.
2. Coil Gunk – Residue build-up that affects flavour, usually from sweet juices.
3. Flooding – When too much juice enters the coil and causes gurgling.
4. Leaking – E-liquid escaping from the tank — usually from overfilling or loose parts.
5. Battery Safety – Essential for external batteries: know your amp limits.
6. Absorbent Material – Components that facilitate the delivery of e-liquid to the atomiser, such as cotton or silica.
7. Refillable Vape Kits – These kits require regular cleaning and coil priming, offering users convenience and longevity.

Know Your Vape, Find Your Match

Whether you're exploring your first pod or experimenting with a rebuildable, knowing the lingo helps you make smarter, more enjoyable choices. Understanding vape terms empowers you to find your rhythm, maintain your device better, and vape with confidence.