solution
suh-LOO-shuhn
Solution (noun) means an answer to a problem or a way of resolving a difficulty. Example: “The teacher showed us a clever solution to the maths puzzle.”
noun
1
An answer to a problem or a way of resolving a difficulty.
"The teacher showed us a clever solution to the maths puzzle."
"Engineers finally found a solution to the bridge's vibration problem."
"There's no easy solution to traffic congestion in the city centre."
2
A liquid mixture formed when one substance is dissolved completely in another.
"Stir the salt into the water until you have a clear solution."
"The lab technician prepared a weak solution of sugar and water."
"Nurses cleaned the wound with a saline solution."
3
A product or system, especially software, marketed as an answer to a business need.
"The bank introduced a mobile solution that lets customers manage accounts online."
"Our firm offers a security solution for small shops."
"The company sells a cloud-based payroll solution."
How to use solution
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the answer to a problem, or a liquid with something dissolved in it.
Common pairings
find a solution
saline solution
a practical solution
software solution
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Word forms
- Plural
- solutions
- Third person singular
- solutions
- Past tense
- solutioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The teacher showed us a clever _____ to the maths puzzle.
Etymology
From Latin solūtiō, "a loosening or dissolving", from the verb solvō, "to loosen, solve".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for solution
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for 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.
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