solvent

[sol-vuhnt]

adjective

1. able to pay all just debts.

2. having the power of dissolving; causing solution.

noun

1. a substance that dissolves another to form a solution.

   Water is a solvent for sugar.

2. something that solves or explains.

solvent

/ ˈsɒlvənt /

adjective

1. capable of meeting financial obligations

2. (of a substance, esp a liquid) capable of dissolving another substance

noun

1. a liquid capable of dissolving another substance

   water is a solvent for salt

2. the component of a solution that does not change its state in forming the solution or the component that is present in excess Compare solute

3. something that solves

solvent

1. A substance that can dissolve another substance, or in which another substance is dissolved, forming a solution. Water is the most common solvent.

Other Word Forms

• solventless adjective
• solvently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of solvent¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin solvent-, stem of solvēns “loosening,” present participle of solvere “to loosen, release”; solve

Word History and Origins

Origin of solvent¹

C17: from Latin solvēns releasing, from solvere to free, _solve

Example Sentences

At first the new bond market machine concerned itself with the more solvent half of the American population.

Read more on Literature

Amended loan documents show First Brands set aside $200 million to make sure the business remains administratively solvent.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Lawyers for First Brands said on Thursday that lenders providing the bankruptcy loan have agreed to set aside $200 million to make sure the business is administratively solvent.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“But it’s also an object lesson in what you can do if you’re solvent — and clever — during the worst recession in Southern California since the 1930s.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The market can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent,” is a financial industry shibboleth most investors have learned through a great deal of pain.

Read more on Barron's