solvent

American  

[sol-vuhnt] / ˈsɒl vənt /

adjective

1. able to pay all just debts.

2. having the power of dissolving; causing solution.

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noun

• solvents
  plural

1. a substance that dissolves another to form a solution.

   Water is a solvent for sugar.

2. something that solves or explains.

solvent British  

/ ˈsɒlvənt /

adjective

1. capable of meeting financial obligations

2. (of a substance, esp a liquid) capable of dissolving another substance

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noun

1. a liquid capable of dissolving another substance

   water is a solvent for salt

2. the component of a solution that does not change its state in forming the solution or the component that is present in excess Compare solute

3. something that solves

solvent Scientific  

/ sŏl′vənt /

1. A substance that can dissolve another substance, or in which another substance is dissolved, forming a solution. Water is the most common solvent.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• solventless
  adjective
• solvently
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• solvents
  plural

Etymology

Origin of solvent

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin solvent-, stem of solvēns “loosening,” present participle of solvere “to loosen, release”; see solve

Explanation

Solvent’s meaning changes pretty drastically depending on its part of speech. As a noun, solvent is either a certain kind of chemical or an idea that solves a problem. As an adjective, solvent describes someone who's got cash on hand. A solvent dissolves other chemicals, which is why it's also easy to remember: solvent is a chemical used to dissolve other chemicals. The adjective solvent, on the other hand, comes from a French verb that means "loosen." During tough economic times, only those banks that are solvent are in a position to loosen the cash flow and start lending money. No cash? You're not solvent.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

solvent solvents

Eliminating the cap while also providing a benefit credit would keep the program solvent until 2059.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

“There is a very common misperception that eliminating the tax cap would make Social Security solvent forever,” Riedl said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

Specifically, that 2001 testing showed the carcinogenic solvent and dry-cleaning chemical perchloroethylene, or PCE, in the soil at levels as high as 6,658 micrograms per liter, said Alysa Pakkidis, information officer for the agency.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

Sallee said the Legislature’s priorities were to balance spending from the various trust funds on early-childhood education and other social programs with ensuring that the state’s general fund was solvent enough to keep taxes down.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

Sullivan was thirty-eight and incapable of cultivating the relationships that might have generated enough new commissions to keep him solvent.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

When the site was last tested, solvents were found in the soil below the pavement and down 150 feet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

The list of potential contaminants from the 'fire practice pond' include petrol, oil, lubricants, solvents and firefighting chemicals - which were "drained into storm water drainage."

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026

During the 1950s and 1960s, workers would regularly burn toxic waste in open pits and cleaned engines with solvents that later contaminated the groundwater.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026

Amines are used as solvents and catalysts in an array of industries, from pharmaceuticals to personal care and agrochemicals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026

Benzene, a frequent constituent of insecticidal solvents, lodges in the marrow and remains deposited there for periods known to be as long as 20 months.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson