solvent

American  

[sol-vuhnt] / ˈsɒl vənt /

adjective

1. able to pay all just debts.

2. having the power of dissolving; causing solution.

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noun

• solvents
  plural

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

   Water is a solvent for sugar.

2. something that solves or explains.

solvent British  

/ ˈsɒlvənt /

adjective

1. capable of meeting financial obligations

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

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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 Scientific  

/ sŏl′vənt /

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• solventless
  adjective
• solvently
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• solvents
  plural

Etymology

Origin of solvent

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

Explanation

Solvent’s meaning changes pretty drastically depending on its part of speech. As a noun, solvent is either a certain kind of chemical or an idea that solves a problem. As an adjective, solvent describes someone who's got cash on hand. A solvent dissolves other chemicals, which is why it's also easy to remember: solvent is a chemical used to dissolve other chemicals. The adjective solvent, on the other hand, comes from a French verb that means "loosen." During tough economic times, only those banks that are solvent are in a position to loosen the cash flow and start lending money. No cash? You're not solvent.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

solvent solvents

Another makes acetic anhydride, a key ingredient of aspirin, and the third makes ethyl acetate, which is used as a solvent and for decaffeinating tea and coffee.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

Bravo-Karimi estimated that, based on current guaranteed revenue, the nation’s second-largest school system can remain solvent for about two more years after the current academic year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

The material is then treated with a mild solvent, which interacts with those fragments and causes the polymer to swell.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026

“Suppose the sovereign remains solvent and its debt remains safe. Can a larger stock of safe public debt nevertheless become a drag on aggregate demand?”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026

The spray was a 25 per cent DDT concentrate suspended in a solvent containing methylated naphthalenes.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

The lower temperature, along with the absence of costly noble-metal catalysts, external hydrogen, organic solvents, and a chemical initiator, could simplify the process.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 21, 2026

The researchers examined molecules in the gas phase, where they were separated from outside influences such as solvents and surfaces.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

The cost of some organic solvents Ajinomoto uses is creeping up, and suppliers have warned they may pass on more.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

The segments are broken up or mixed with solvents before being put through a chromatography process.

From BBC ● May 26, 2026

Benzene, a frequent constituent of insecticidal solvents, lodges in the marrow and remains deposited there for periods known to be as long as 20 months.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson