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

And, relatedly, neither party will tell the truth about our entitlement programs, much less act to keep them solvent. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 13 Mar. 2024

One of the primary methods used in the extraction process is solvent extraction. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 9 July 2023

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

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