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

• 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

Oats also contain fiber, iron, and beta-glucan, a soluble fiber supporting heart and digestive health.4 Soybeans are an excellent source of protein. —Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 29 July 2025

Foods richer in soluble fiber include apples, bananas, citrus fruits, barley, carrots, oats, beans and psyllium, which derives from the husks of seeds of the Plantago ovata plant, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 July 2025

In the gut, soluble fiber mixes with water to form a gel-like substance. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 9 July 2025

Research shows that soluble fiber, especially, can nourish the microbes that keep your intestines functioning normally. —Mara Santilli, SELF, 27 June 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