dissolve

[dih-zolv]

verb (used with object)

dissolved, dissolving 

1. to make a solution of, as by mixing with a liquid; pass into solution.

   to dissolve salt in water.

2. to melt; liquefy.

   to dissolve sugar into syrup.

3. to undo (a tie or bond); break up (a connection, union, etc.).

   Synonyms: loosen, sever

4. to break up (an assembly or organization); dismiss; disperse.

5. Government.,  to order the termination of (a parliament or other legislative body).

   Synonyms: adjourn

6. to bring to an end; terminate; destroy.

   to dissolve one's hopes.

7. to separate into parts or elements; disintegrate.

8. to destroy the binding power or influence of.

   to dissolve a spell.

9. Law.,  to deprive of force; abrogate; annul.

   to dissolve a marriage.

verb (used without object)

dissolved, dissolving 

1. to become dissolved, as in a solvent.

2. to become melted or liquefied.

3. to disintegrate, break up, or disperse.

4. to lose force, intensity, or strength.

5. to disappear gradually; fade away.

6. to break down emotionally; lose one's composure.

   The poor child dissolved in tears.

7. Movies, Television.,  to fade out one shot or scene while simultaneously fading in the next, overlapping the two during the process.

noun

1. Also called lap dissolve,. Also called cross-dissolve. Movies, Television.,  a transition from one scene to the next made by dissolving.

dissolve

/ dɪˈzɒlv /

verb

1. to go or cause to go into solution

   salt dissolves in water

   water dissolves sugar

2. to become or cause to become liquid; melt

3. to disintegrate or disperse

4. to come or bring to an end

5. to dismiss (a meeting, parliament, etc) or (of a meeting, etc) to be dismissed

6. to collapse or cause to collapse emotionally

   to dissolve into tears

7. to lose or cause to lose distinctness or clarity

8. (tr) to terminate legally, as a marriage, etc

9. (intr) films television to fade out one scene and replace with another to make two scenes merge imperceptibly ( fast dissolve ) or slowly overlap ( slow dissolve ) over a period of about three or four seconds

noun

1. films television a scene filmed or televised by dissolving

dissolve

1. To pass or cause to pass into solution.

Other Word Forms

• dissolvability noun
• dissolvableness noun
• dissolvable adjective
• dissolver noun
• dissolvingly adverb
• nondissolving adjective
• predissolve verb (used with object)
• redissolve verb
• self-dissolved adjective
• undissolvable adjective
• undissolved adjective
• undissolving adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissolve¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin dissolvere “to unloose”; equivalent to dis- ¹ + solve

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissolve¹

C14: from Latin dissolvere to make loose, from _dis- ¹ + solvere to release

Synonym Study

See melt ¹.

Example Sentences

On the off chance that an adversary pierces its tough exoskeleton, they risk being injured if not outright dissolved by the creature’s highly concentrated acidic blood.

From Salon

He asked the Tarrant County court to move all proceedings to El Paso, and dissolve the restraining order.

From Salon

But when the encounter gets more tense, Mancuso unveils his lethal side, his smile dissolving into a sinister glare as he knocks a cup of hot coffee into Jake’s lap.

From Los Angeles Times

The community was officially dissolved at the beginning of 2024, and the remaining nuns were granted lifelong right of residence, as long as their health and mental capacity allowed.

From BBC

Parliament is expected to be dissolved shortly, and the new government is tasked with conducting general elections within six months.

From BBC

Related Words

• adjourn 
• break up 
• cancel 
• collapse 
• demolish 
• destroy 
• discharge 
• dismiss 
• overthrow 
• postpone 
• repeal 
• separate 
• sever 
• suspend 
• terminate 
• vacate