solvent

UK: /ˈsɒlv^ənt/ US: /ˈsɑlvənt/ ,(sol′vənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

sol•vent /ˈsɑlvənt/   adj. 

1. Business able to pay all one's debts:
   The company is solvent.
2. having the power of dissolving;
   causing solution.

n. [countable]

3. Chemistry a substance that dissolves another to form a solution:
   Water is a solvent for sugar.

sol•ven•cy, n. 

[uncountable] a question of fiscal solvency.

See -solv-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sol•vent  (sol′vənt), adj. 

1. Business able to pay all just debts.
2. having the power of dissolving;
   causing solution.

n. 

3. Chemistry a substance that dissolves another to form a solution:
   Water is a solvent for sugar.
4. something that solves or explains.

• Latin solvent- (stem of solvēns), present participle of solvere to loosen. See solve, -ent
• 1620–30

sol′vent•less, adj. 
sol′vent•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

solvent / ˈsɒlvənt/ adjective

1. capable of meeting financial obligations
2. (of a substance, esp a liquid) capable of dissolving another substance

noun

1. a liquid capable of dissolving another substance
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

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin solvēns releasing, from solvere to free, solve