solve

American  

[solv] / sɒlv /

verb (used with object)

solved, solving

1. to find the answer or explanation for; clear up; explain.

   to solve the mystery of the missing books.

   Synonyms:

   crack, untangle, unravel, resolve

2. to work out the answer or solution to (a mathematical problem).

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solve British  

/ sɒlv /

verb

1. to find the explanation for or solution to (a mystery, problem, etc)

2. maths

   1. to work out the answer to (a problem)

   2. to obtain the roots of (an equation)

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Other Word Forms

• presolve verb (used with object)
• solver noun
• unsolved adjective
• well-solved adjective

Etymology

Origin of solve

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English solven, from Latin solvere “to loosen, free, release”

Example Sentences

Competitive excel has been around for about 20 years and is essentially a puzzle solving competition, thinking logically about how you can create a general solution to a question which is scalable and fast.

From BBC

The company expects the architecture to have broad applications in solving problems in business, finance and beyond.

From The Wall Street Journal

To solve the mystery, they needed more data.

From Science Daily

While experts agree that outsourcing has seriously hurt California's film industry, they are sceptical whether tariffs can solve anything.

From Barron's

China also has an "engineer dividend" that allows its companies to quickly solve technical issues in the production process, Wang added.

From Barron's

Related Words

• clarify
• clear up
• decide
• determine
• do
• explain
• figure out
• fix
• have
• iron out
• settle
• work out