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

In exchange, the companies agreed to put $321 million into the health fund to keep it solvent. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026

In the effort to stay fiscally solvent, Sacramento City Unified School District leaders are navigating an absolute mess. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026

Noun

As of July, cannabis concentrate manufacturers must also test their products for additional residual solvents that could help indicate whether or not the product was derived from hemp. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026

For safety reasons, paint and solvents—plus broken glass—cannot be donated to The Salvation Army. —Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 19 Apr. 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