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

• answerable
• explainable
• explicable
• resolvable
• 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

When the soil is submerged underwater, arsenic in the ground becomes soluble and the plant’s roots can mistake the arsenic for nutrients and absorb it, said Andrew Meharg, the chair of plant and soil science at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025

In the double doody realm, viscous soluble fiber is the star. —Julie Stewart, SELF, 25 Mar. 2025

Apparently, the secretary is unaware that vitamin A is fat soluble and not easily excreted, with any excess stored in the liver. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

However, instead of removing the minerals from the water, these devices make the minerals soluble in the water. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 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