resolve

[ ri-zolv ]
See synonyms for: resolveresolvedresolving on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),re·solved, re·solv·ing.
  1. to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full.

  2. to separate into constituent or elementary parts; break up; cause or disintegrate (usually followed by into).

  1. to reduce or convert by, or as by, breaking up or disintegration (usually followed by to or into).

  2. to convert or transform by any process (often used reflexively).

  3. to reduce by mental analysis (often followed by into).

  4. to settle, determine, or state in a formal vote or formal expression of opinion or intention, as of a deliberative assembly.

  5. to deal with (a question, a matter of uncertainty, etc.) conclusively; settle; solve: to resolve the question before the board.

  6. to clear away or dispel (doubts, fears, etc.); answer: to resolve any doubts we may have had.

  7. Chemistry. to separate (a racemic mixture) into optically active components.

  8. Music. to cause (a voice part or the harmony as a whole) to progress from a dissonance to a consonance.

  9. Optics. to separate and make visible the individual parts of (an image); distinguish between.

  10. Medicine/Medical. to cause (swellings, inflammation, etc.) to disappear without suppuration.

verb (used without object),re·solved, re·solv·ing.
  1. to come to a determination; make up one's mind; determine (often followed by on or upon): to resolve on a plan of action.

  2. to break up or disintegrate.

  1. to be reduced or changed by breaking up or otherwise (usually followed by to or into).

  2. Music. to progress from a dissonance to a consonance.

noun
  1. a resolution or determination made, as to follow some course of action.

  2. firmness of purpose or intent; determination.

Origin of resolve

1
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English verb resolven “to alter, loosen, temper,” from Latin resolvere “to unfasten, loosen, release,” equivalent to re- re- + solvere solve

Other words for resolve

Other words from resolve

  • re·solv·er, noun
  • pre·re·solve, verb, pre·re·solved, pre·re·solv·ing.
  • un·re·solv·ing, adjective

Words Nearby resolve

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use resolve in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for resolve

resolve

/ (rɪˈzɒlv) /


verb(mainly tr)
  1. (takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to decide or determine firmly

  2. to express (an opinion) formally, esp (of a public meeting) one agreed by a vote

  1. (also intr usually foll by into) to separate or cause to separate (into) (constituent parts or elements)

  2. (usually reflexive) to change, alter, or appear to change or alter: the ghost resolved itself into a tree

  3. to make up the mind of; cause to decide: the tempest resolved him to stay at home

  4. to find the answer or solution to; solve: to resolve a problem

  5. to explain away or dispel: to resolve a doubt

  6. to bring to an end; conclude: to resolve an argument

  7. med to cause (a swelling or inflammation) to subside, esp without the formation of pus

  8. (also intr) to follow (a dissonant note or chord) or (of a dissonant note or chord) to be followed by one producing a consonance

  9. chem to separate (a racemic mixture) into its optically active constituents

  10. physics

    • to distinguish between (separate parts) of (an image) as in a microscope, telescope, or other optical instrument

    • to separate (two adjacent peaks) in a spectrum by means of a spectrometer

  11. maths to split (a vector) into its components in specified directions

  12. an obsolete word for dissolve

noun
  1. something determined or decided; resolution: he had made a resolve to work all day

  2. firmness of purpose; determination: nothing can break his resolve

Origin of resolve

1
C14: from Latin resolvere to unfasten, reveal, from re- + solvere to loosen; see solve

Derived forms of resolve

  • resolver, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012