1
a
: being without an internal cavity
a solid ball of rubber
b(1)
: printed with minimum space between lines
(2)
: joined without a hyphen
a solid compound
c
: not interrupted by a break or opening
a solid wall
2
: having, involving, or dealing with three dimensions or with solids
a solid configuration
3
a
: of uniformly close and coherent texture : not loose or spongy : compact
b
: possessing or characterized by the properties of a solid : neither gaseous nor liquid
solid waste
4
5
a
: having no break or interruption
waited three solid hours
b
: unanimous
had the solid support of the party
c
: intimately friendly or associated
solid with the boss
6
a
: prudent
also
: well established financially
b
: serious in purpose or character
7
: of one substance or character: such as
a
: entirely of one metal or containing the minimum of alloy necessary to impart hardness
solid gold
b
: of a single color
solidly
adverb
solidness
noun
1
: a geometrical figure or element (such as a cube or sphere) having three dimensions see Volume Formulas Table
2
a
: a substance that does not flow perceptibly under moderate stress, has a definite capacity for resisting forces (such as compression or tension) which tend to deform it, and under ordinary conditions retains a definite size and shape
b
: the part of a solution or suspension that when freed from solvent or suspending medium has the qualities of a solid
—usually used in plural
milk solids of protein and lactose
3
: something that is solid: such as
a
: a solid color
b
: a compound word whose members are joined together without a hyphen
4
US slang
: favor sense 3a
Ted Evans might be one of those people. … "Can you do me a solid and watch my stuff?" he'll ask, returning the favor if anyone else needs to do the same.—
Laylan Connelly
Laylan ConnellySo her husband did her a solid and dropped her off for the afternoon, where she was free to sketch some of the exhibits …—Steven Lemongello
Steven Lemongello
: in a solid manner
also
: unanimously
Synonyms
Examples of solid in a Sentence
Adjective
Concrete is a solid material.
When ice melts, it passes from a solid to a liquid form.
I was on a liquid diet when I was sick because I couldn't digest solid food.
I was glad to get off the plane and back on solid ground.
The pond was frozen solid.
The ring is solid gold.
a chunk of solid marble
I prefer solid colors like blue or green instead of plaids and stripes.
Noun
She couldn't eat solids after the surgery.
Recent Examples on the WebKyle Denis, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2024
It’s done a solid if not always optimally elegant job of tracking the evolving dinner-party trending topics over two decades.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
Pioneer 7, No. 18 Menlo-Atherton 3 Pioneer picked up a solid non-conference win behind a solid offensive outing from junior Lucas Leese.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024
Though Garcia pulled a bogey out with a wonderful backspin-heavy approach and solid putt, Burmester could play it safe and two-putt for a par and the win.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024
In addition, construction companies added a solid 39,000 jobs.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 6 Apr. 2024
Evan McKendry pitched six solid innings for the Sounds, allowing two runs on four hits.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2024
From a structured blazer to a plain white T-shirt, building a solid foundation for your wardrobe should come first.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
With the support of every Senate Democrat needed to overcome solid GOP opposition, the administration dropped the public option, and Mr. Lieberman voted in 2009 for the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
—Michael H. Brown, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
Jalali notes that serving thickened liquids or solids in a bottle can increase the risk of gagging, choking, aspirating, and overfeeding.
—Jennifer D'angelo Friedman, Parents, 1 Apr. 2024
At the time, Dr. Massey was a rising star in the study of theoretical condensed matter, how liquids and solids behave.
—Katrina Miller, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Choose from neutrals like white, gray, and tan, or opt for more vivid solids like mint green and lavender.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
Strain out all solids and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
—Judy Revenaugh, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024
The multi-packs offer a wide variety of patterns and colors, including solids, stripes, and even cute vehicle patterns.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024
My kid is just starting on solids (his favorite food so far?
—Mackenzie Chung Fegan, Bon Appétit, 18 Mar. 2024
Once the candles arrived at the home in Port Orchard, drug ring members extracted the meth and turned it back into a solid.
—Beth Warren, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2024
Matt Jancer, Wired, 8 Oct. 2021
Analysts said some of the ICBMs appeared to be solid-propellant missiles that can be launched more quickly and are harder to detect.
—Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2023
One thing has stayed rock-solid over the past several decades and that is a general fear of change, both spoken and unspoken.
—Paige Francis, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022
That raised the possibility that other promises that run counter to local laws and customs — including issues like press freedom, street protests and the rights of LGBTQ+ visitors — were not as rock-solid as Qatar and FIFA have said.
—Tariq Panja, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2022
Aberdeen sophomore goalie Nevaeh Kelly was solid early on as Bel Air pressure and shots came quickly after the starting whistle.
—Randy McRoberts, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2022
Hotels and ticketed events in the neighborhood had been booked solid ahead, and large crowds were expected.
—Sophie Jeong, CNN, 30 Oct. 2022
Yamini Rangan of Hubspot, cited last month as the best CEO for women according to female reviews, is a good example of someone who’s done solid yet relatively short stints at a variety of companies.
—Sairah Ashman, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022
But demand for labor remains rock solid, providing skilled workers a good bit of leverage.
—Fortune, 17 Aug. 2022
Adjective
Bryson Tiller is a solid record that honors the mid-2010s break out star’s roots while also showcasing how wide-ranging his versatility can be.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2024
It’s done a solid if not always optimally elegant job of tracking the evolving dinner-party trending topics over two decades.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
Pioneer 7, No. 18 Menlo-Atherton 3 Pioneer picked up a solid non-conference win behind a solid offensive outing from junior Lucas Leese.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024
Though Garcia pulled a bogey out with a wonderful backspin-heavy approach and solid putt, Burmester could play it safe and two-putt for a par and the win.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024
In addition, construction companies added a solid 39,000 jobs.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 6 Apr. 2024
Evan McKendry pitched six solid innings for the Sounds, allowing two runs on four hits.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2024
From a structured blazer to a plain white T-shirt, building a solid foundation for your wardrobe should come first.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
With the support of every Senate Democrat needed to overcome solid GOP opposition, the administration dropped the public option, and Mr. Lieberman voted in 2009 for the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
—Michael H. Brown, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Noun
The process of clarifying butter removes its milk solids, according to registered dietitian Caroline Thomason.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
Jalali notes that serving thickened liquids or solids in a bottle can increase the risk of gagging, choking, aspirating, and overfeeding.
—Jennifer D'angelo Friedman, Parents, 1 Apr. 2024
At the time, Dr. Massey was a rising star in the study of theoretical condensed matter, how liquids and solids behave.
—Katrina Miller, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Choose from neutrals like white, gray, and tan, or opt for more vivid solids like mint green and lavender.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
Strain out all solids and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
—Judy Revenaugh, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024
The multi-packs offer a wide variety of patterns and colors, including solids, stripes, and even cute vehicle patterns.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024
My kid is just starting on solids (his favorite food so far?
—Mackenzie Chung Fegan, Bon Appétit, 18 Mar. 2024
Once the candles arrived at the home in Port Orchard, drug ring members extracted the meth and turned it back into a solid.
—Beth Warren, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2024
Adverb
With 15-Inch Screen for $900 ($300 off) There's the solid-performing 2 GHz Intel Core i7 processor and 8 GB of RAM, but the star of the spec sheets is the 512 GB solid-state drive for storage.
—Matt Jancer, Wired, 8 Oct. 2021
Analysts said some of the ICBMs appeared to be solid-propellant missiles that can be launched more quickly and are harder to detect.
—Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2023
One thing has stayed rock-solid over the past several decades and that is a general fear of change, both spoken and unspoken.
—Paige Francis, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022
That raised the possibility that other promises that run counter to local laws and customs — including issues like press freedom, street protests and the rights of LGBTQ+ visitors — were not as rock-solid as Qatar and FIFA have said.
—Tariq Panja, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2022
Aberdeen sophomore goalie Nevaeh Kelly was solid early on as Bel Air pressure and shots came quickly after the starting whistle.
—Randy McRoberts, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2022
Hotels and ticketed events in the neighborhood had been booked solid ahead, and large crowds were expected.
—Sophie Jeong, CNN, 30 Oct. 2022
Yamini Rangan of Hubspot, cited last month as the best CEO for women according to female reviews, is a good example of someone who’s done solid yet relatively short stints at a variety of companies.
—Sairah Ashman, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022
But demand for labor remains rock solid, providing skilled workers a good bit of leverage.
—Fortune, 17 Aug. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'solid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near solid
Cite this Entry
“Solid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solid. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
solid
1 of 2 adjective
sol·id
ˈsäl-əd 
1
a
: not hollow
b
: written as one word
a solid compound
2
: having, involving, or dealing with solids : cubic sense 2
a solid geometric shape
3
a
: not loose or spongy : compact
a solid mass of rock
b
: neither gaseous nor liquid
solid ice
solid waste
4
: of good sturdy quality or kind
solid comfort
solid reasons
5
6
a
: thoroughly dependable : reliable
a solid citizen
b
: earnest or important in purpose
solid reading
7
: of one material, kind, or color
solid gold
solid
adverb
solidly
adverb
solidness
noun
solid
2 of 2 noun1
: a geometric figure or element (as a cube or a sphere) having three dimensions
2
: a solid substance : a substance that keeps its size and shape
Medical Definition
solid
1 of 2 adjective
sol·id
ˈsäl-əd
1
: being without an internal cavity : not hollow
solid tumors
2
: possessing or characterized by the properties of a solid : neither gaseous nor liquid
3
of immunity
: capable of resisting severe challenge
solidly
adverb
solid
2 of 2 noun1
: a substance that does not flow perceptibly under moderate stress, has a definite capacity for resisting forces (as compression or tension) which tend to deform it, and under ordinary conditions retains a definite size and shape
2
: the part of a solution or suspension that when freed from solvent or suspending medium has the qualities of a solid
—usually used in plural
milk solids
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