solid
SOL-ihd
Solid (adjective) means Firm and stable in structure; not liquid or gas. Example: “The lake had frozen solid by January.”
adjective
1
Firm and stable in structure; not liquid or gas.
"The lake had frozen solid by January."
"They built the foundation from solid concrete."
"The chocolate went solid again once it cooled in the fridge."
2
Reliable, dependable, or of good quality.
"She gave a solid performance in the final round."
"He is a solid worker who always finishes on time."
"That is solid advice, so I will follow it."
noun
1
A substance that holds its shape and volume without a container, unlike a liquid or gas.
"Ice is water in its solid form."
"Wax is a solid at room temperature."
"Chemists study how a solid turns into a liquid when heated."
How to use solid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFirm and stable rather than liquid or gas; also used loosely to mean dependable or good.
Common pairings
solid ground
solid performance
solid state
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Word forms
- Plural
- solids
- Comparative
- more solid, solider
- Superlative
- most solid, solidest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lake had frozen _____ by January.
Etymology
From Old French solide, from Latin solidus ("solid, whole").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “solid” mean?
The word “solid” means firm and stable in structure; not liquid or gas. In plain terms, firm and stable rather than liquid or gas; also used loosely to mean dependable or good.
How do you pronounce “solid”?
“Solid” is pronounced SOL-ihd (/ˈsɑ.lɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “solid” in a sentence?
Here is “solid” used in a sentence: “The lake had frozen solid by January.”
What part of speech is “solid”?
Depending on how it is used, “solid” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “solid” come from?
The word “solid” comes from Latin. From Old French solide, from Latin solidus ("solid, whole").
Is “solid” a common word?
“Solid” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “solid” have?
“Solid” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: firm and stable in structure; not liquid or gas.
What is the difference between a solid and a liquid?
A solid holds a fixed shape and volume because its particles are packed tightly and held in place. A liquid keeps its volume but flows to take the shape of its container, since its particles can move past one another. Cooling a liquid enough freezes it into a solid, while heating a solid melts it back into a liquid.
What are the properties of a solid?
A solid has a definite shape and a fixed volume, and it resists being compressed. Its particles are packed closely together and vibrate in fixed positions rather than moving freely. Most solids are firm and rigid, keeping their form unless a strong enough force or amount of heat changes them.
What is an example of a solid?
Everyday solids include ice, rock, wood, metal, and glass — anything firm that keeps its own shape rather than flowing or spreading out. Water is a neat illustration of all three states of matter: solid as ice, liquid when it melts, and gas as steam.
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