solvent

1 of 2

adjective

sol·​vent ˈsäl-vənt 

ˈsȯl-

1

: able to pay all legal debts

a solvent company

2

: that dissolves or can dissolve

solvent action of water

solvently adverb

solvent

2 of 2

noun

1

: a usually liquid substance capable of dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances

2

: something that provides a solution

3

: something that eliminates or attenuates something especially unwanted

solventless

ˈsäl-vənt-ləs 

ˈsȯl-

adjective

Examples of solvent in a Sentence

Adjective

He couldn't stay solvent after losing his business.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Rather than asking supporters to save the Rose Bowl, management could invite them to participate in a solvent organization gaining momentum. — Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

This expansion weakened their interaction with the material, naturally dividing the mixture into heavier and lighter groups without using traditional solvent extraction. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026

Noun

In one of the heaviest contaminations of TCE and PCE documented, thousands of soldiers and their families were exposed to the solvents at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987. — Wuft News, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Much of the rubble could be contaminated with fuels, motor oil, paints, solvents, plastics and other hazardous materials released when buildings fell. — ABC News, 29 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin solvent-, solvens, present participle of solvere to dissolve, pay

First Known Use

Adjective

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for solvent

• insolvent
• resolvent

Kids Definition

solvent

1 of 2 adjective

sol·​vent ˈsäl-vənt 

ˈsȯl-

: able to pay all legal debts

solvent

2 of 2 noun

: a usually liquid substance capable of dissolving one or more other substances

Medical Definition

solvent

1 of 2 adjective

sol·​vent ˈsäl-vənt, ˈsȯl- 

: that dissolves or can dissolve

solvent fluids

solvent action of water

solvent

2 of 2 noun

: a substance capable of or used in dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances

especially : a liquid component of a solution present in greater amount than the solute

Legal Definition

solvent

adjective

sol·​vent ˈsäl-vənt 

: able to pay all legal debts as they become due