solvent
SOL-vuhnt
Solvent (noun) means a liquid that dissolves another substance to form a solution. Example: “Nail polish remover contains a solvent that breaks down the polish.”
noun
1
A liquid that dissolves another substance to form a solution.
"Nail polish remover contains a solvent that breaks down the polish."
"Furthermore, this increase in risk is comparable to the risk of death from leukemia after long-term exposure to benzene, another solvent, which has the well-known property of causing this type of cancer."
— , Solvents, Ethanol, Car Crashes & Tolerance (2013)
adjective
1
Financially sound, with enough assets to cover all debts.
"The company remained solvent throughout the recession."
How to use solvent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA chemical that dissolves things, or — for a business or person — having enough money to pay what you owe.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the financial sense (able to pay debts) with the chemistry sense (a dissolving liquid) — the word means quite different things depending on context.
Common pairings
a strong solvent
remain solvent
financially solvent
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like solvent.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- solvents
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Nail polish remover contains a _____ that breaks down the polish.
Etymology
From Latin solvēns, "dissolving, loosening", present participle of solvō.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “solvent” mean?
The word “solvent” means a liquid that dissolves another substance to form a solution. In plain terms, a chemical that dissolves things, or — for a business or person — having enough money to pay what you owe.
How do you pronounce “solvent”?
“Solvent” is pronounced SOL-vuhnt (/ˈsɔlvənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “solvent” in a sentence?
Here is “solvent” used in a sentence: “Nail polish remover contains a solvent that breaks down the polish.”
What part of speech is “solvent”?
Depending on how it is used, “solvent” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “solvent” come from?
The word “solvent” comes from Latin. From Latin solvēns, "dissolving, loosening", present participle of solvō.
Is “solvent” a common word?
“Solvent” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “solvent” have?
“Solvent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a liquid that dissolves another substance to form a solution.
