solvable

American  

[sol-vuh-buhl] / ˈsɒl və bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being solved, as a problem.

2. Mathematics. (of a group) having a normal series of subgroups in which successive quotient groups are Abelian.

3. Archaic. soluble.

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solvable British  

/ ˈsɒlvəbəl /

adjective

1. another word for soluble

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonsolvable
  adjective
• solvability
  noun
• unsolvable
  adjective
• solvableness
  noun
• nonsolvableness
  noun
• nonsolvability
  noun
• unsolvably
  adverb
• unsolvableness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of solvable

First recorded in 1640–50; solve + -able

Example Sentences

These barriers are all solvable with policies and programs that help support immigrants and refugees in re-entering the workforce.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

But he mostly appeared frustrated at the lack of progress in ending a conflict which he once seemed to believe could be easily solvable.

From BBC • Jul. 14, 2025

"It makes extinction sound like something that’s solvable through scientific jiggery-pokery, an error that can be fixed without the arduous, inconvenient lengths that human beings need to go to to prevent extinctions happening."

From Salon • May 15, 2025

It’s not a problem of the Earth, or anything other than a human problem — which is commonly solvable.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2025

Seeing the stricken look on my face, he assured me that the problem was both common and solvable.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama