solution
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for solution, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An answer to a problem or a way of resolving a difficulty.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use solution
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin solūtiō, "a loosening or dissolving", from the verb solvō, "to loosen, solve".
Full origin of solution →Frequently asked questions
What does “solution” mean?
The word “solution” means an answer to a problem or a way of resolving a difficulty. In plain terms, either the answer to a problem, or a liquid with something dissolved in it.
How do you pronounce “solution”?
“Solution” is pronounced suh-LOO-shuhn (/səˈl(j)uːʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “solution” in a sentence?
Here is “solution” used in a sentence: “Engineers finally found a solution to the bridge's vibration problem.”
What part of speech is “solution”?
“Solution” is a noun.
Where does the word “solution” come from?
The word “solution” comes from Latin. From Latin solūtiō, "a loosening or dissolving", from the verb solvō, "to loosen, solve".
Is “solution” a common word?
“Solution” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “solution” have?
“Solution” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an answer to a problem or a way of resolving a difficulty.
What is the difference between a solution and an answer?
An answer responds to a question, while a solution resolves a problem or difficulty. Every solution is a kind of answer, but a solution implies there was an obstacle to overcome, not just information to supply. You answer a quiz question, but you find a solution to a leak, a dispute, or a shortage.
What is the difference between a problem and a solution?
A problem is the difficulty, obstacle, or question that needs dealing with; a solution is what resolves it. They are opposites in a sequence: the problem comes first and creates the need, and the solution follows and removes it. A good solution addresses the real cause of the problem, not merely its symptoms.
What is an example of a solution?
If a company keeps losing files, moving to secure cloud storage is a solution. If a town floods each winter, better drainage is the solution. The word names whatever removes the difficulty — a decision, a device, a method, or a plan that turns the problem into something that no longer troubles you.
Does 'solution' have another meaning?
Yes. In chemistry, a solution is a liquid mixture in which one substance is dissolved evenly in another, such as salt in water. The two senses share the idea of something being resolved or blended smoothly, but in everyday use 'solution' almost always means the answer to a problem.