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

Chemical options include alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid, which are water soluble, and beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid, which are fat soluble and can cut through oily follicles, a common pick for acne-prone skin. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Oranges contain citrus pectin, a soluble fiber that is not easily digested and absorbed. — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2026

In fact, beta-glucan, the main type of soluble fiber found in oats, and pectin, the main type of soluble fiber found in apples, function similarly in the digestive tract. — Zia Sherrell, HEALTH, 31 Oct. 2026

The company says its indigo process uses soluble precursors that oxidize into insoluble pigment within the textile, avoiding the chemical reduction step used in conventional indigo dyeing. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

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