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

Paramount was struggling to remain solvent prior to the Ellison family’s purchase of the media company last year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

“There is a very common misperception that eliminating the tax cap would make Social Security solvent forever,” Riedl said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

Specifically, that 2001 testing showed the carcinogenic solvent and dry-cleaning chemical perchloroethylene, or PCE, in the soil at levels as high as 6,658 micrograms per liter, said Alysa Pakkidis, information officer for the agency.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

The U.S., not so roughly handled, suffered a 21% fall in share prices and 100 failed banks in comparison to 3,400 solvent survivors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026

“Go soak it. If the situation becomes desperate, I recommend you avail yourself of the numerous solvent formulae extant in Celum Tinture. Chapter thirteen, I believe.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

When the site was last tested, solvents were found in the soil below the pavement and down 150 feet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 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

Many of those operations used petrochemical products and solvents such as resins, adhesives and acrylic compounds like methyl methacrylate, the chemical at the center of the Orange County crisis.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026

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

From BBC ● May 26, 2026

He showed Charles Chappell into a second-floor room that contained a table, medical instruments, and bottles of solvents.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson