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

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

• solventless adjective
• solvently adverb

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

The Social Security trustees projected that this package of adjustments would keep the system solvent for the next 75 years.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

"Water is the ideal solvent -- it's abundant, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly," Raviprolu said.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026

Treasury, Emirati firms handle by far the world’s highest volume of Iran’s shadow funds, exploiting opaque registries and lax rules to keep Tehran solvent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

The problem was reported on Friday after locals experiencing a strong solvent taste in their water and in the air outside.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

Or perhaps there are living things that do not have a solvent system at all—solid-state life, where there are electrical signals propagating rather than molecules floating about.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan