solidify
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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to become solid.
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to form into crystals; become crystallized.
verb
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to make or become solid or hard
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to make or become strong, united, determined, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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solidifiabilitynoun
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solidifiablenessnoun
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solidificationnoun
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solidifiernoun
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resolidifyverb
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oversolidifyverb (used with object)
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nonsolidifiedadjective
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nonsolidifyingadjective
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solidifiableadjective
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unsolidifiedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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solidifysimple
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solidifiessimple
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have solidifiedperfect
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has solidifiedperfect
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am solidifyingprogressive
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are solidifyingprogressive
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is solidifyingprogressive
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have been solidifyingperfect progressive
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has been solidifyingperfect progressive
Past
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solidifiedsimple
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had solidifiedperfect
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was solidifyingprogressive
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were solidifyingprogressive
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had been solidifyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of solidify
From the French word solidifier, dating back to 1790–1800. See solid, -ify
Explanation
To solidify is to make something solid, like water becoming ice, or a plan becoming more concrete. If you’re meeting a friend, you should solidify the plan before you go and decide where and what time to meet. To solidify is to become a solid, like lemonade solidifying into a popsicle, or dissolved sugar solidifying into yummy rock candy. Also, this word can apply to non-physical things. If a couple gets engaged, they're solidifying their relationship. Getting a promotion could solidify your career. Anything becoming firmer or more real is a type of solidifying. In any sense, whatever gets solidified becomes stronger.
Vocabulary lists containing solidify
Red Flags and Butterflies
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Crashing into You
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Prosecutors also moved Wednesday to solidify their argument that Burke would have lost a fortune if Hernandez spoke out against him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
A disappointing preliminary earnings report from International Business Machines on Tuesday seemed to solidify that trend.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
But a lot has to go right for this plastic moment to solidify into something better.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026
It also raises the possibility that Comcast could potentially acquire Charter Communications to solidify itself as the top provider in the U.S.
From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026
Thomas rubbed his eyes, frustrated that he couldn’t solidify the link.
From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner
And Lamine Yamal appears ready for a goal-scoring breakout, a moment that solidifies his place as the sport’s current superstar.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
Dariely Rodriguez, chief counsel at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said that the ruling "solidifies what we have known to be true for over a hundred years".
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
OpenAI officially announcing plans to go public solidifies that this is shaking up to be a year marked by the largest IPOs in Wall Street’s history.
From Barron's ● Jun. 8, 2026
Before it solidifies, it fills small gaps and uneven areas where oxygen levels tend to be lowest and infection risk highest.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 22, 2026
I knew it wasn’t—I knew it wasn’t—but this second call solidifies that.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
And the friends solidified their bond—they went into business together.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
As a manager, he returned to Newcastle in 1992 and solidified his position as a Tyneside legend when he led the Toon to second place in 1995-96.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
Large groups of these intrusions, called dike swarms, can preserve a record of intense volcanic activity long after the magma has solidified.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 18, 2026
In the days before the primary election, the race solidified into a three-way contest between Becerra, Steyer and Hilton.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026
That which was clear and light drifted up to become heaven, while that which was heavy and turbid solidified to become earth.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Chinese carmakers recorded another jump in European monthly sales in June, solidifying their position as mighty competitors for local auto companies that are seeking to reinvigorate growth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
AI giant is solidifying its Claude Partner Network to help demonstrate ‘durability of revenue’ as it nears going public.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026
American Airlines plans to install SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service on more than 500 planes, solidifying the Elon Musk company’s lead among U.S. air carriers.
From MarketWatch ● May 26, 2026
In recent months, China has been solidifying sanctions and other restrictions and widening enforcement to use against companies or people acting in ways it sees as contrary to its interests.
From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026
Spirits began to appear around Minos—shimmering forms that slowly multiplied, solidifying into Cretan soldiers.
From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
