soluble

adjective

sol·​u·​ble ˈsäl-yə-bəl 

1

: susceptible of being dissolved in or as if in a liquid and especially water

2

: subject to being solved or explained

soluble questions

Did you know?

Soluble looks like a word that should be confined to chemistry labs, though it's often used by nonchemists as well to describe substances that can be dissolved in liquids. On the other hand, the sense of soluble meaning "solvable" is also quite common. In this sense, soluble, like its opposite, insoluble, is usually paired with problem. If only all life's problems were soluble by stirring them in a container filled with water.

Synonyms of soluble

• resolvable
• answerable
• feasible
• solvable

Examples of soluble in a Sentence

Sugar is soluble in water.

one murder case that proved to be soluble after all

Recent Examples on the Web

Most dress shirts are made from cotton or cotton blends that require washing to remove water-soluble stains like sweat. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 31 Dec. 2025

Augustinus Bader’s formulation avoids this problem by using ascorbyl glucoside, a water-soluble derivative that stays intact in the bottle, then converts into active Vitamin C once absorbed. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 2025

Psyllium is a natural, soluble dietary fiber derived from the seeds of Plantago ovata or Psyllium plantago. —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 30 Dec. 2025

Sunflower Seeds Sunflower seeds are especially rich in vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects the body from cell damage caused by free radicals. —Cathy Cassata, Health, 29 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, digestible, laxative, from Late Latin solubilis, from Latin solvere to loosen, dissolve — more at solve

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for soluble

• indissoluble
• insoluble
• revoluble
• voluble

Kids Definition

soluble

adjective

sol·​u·​ble ˈsäl-yə-bəl 

1

: capable of being dissolved in a liquid

sugar is soluble in water

2

: capable of being solved or explained : solvable

a soluble problem

Medical Definition

soluble

adjective

sol·​u·​ble ˈsäl-yə-bəl 

1

: susceptible of being dissolved in or as if in a fluid

2

: capable of being emulsified

a soluble oil