# dissolve

/dɪˈzɑɫv/ (US) · /dɪsˈɒlv/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dissolve
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

to mix a solid into a liquid until it becomes part of the liquid and disappears. It can also mean to officially end a group or an agreement.

For teachers: to cause a solid to pass into solution; to bring to an end a formal assembly, partnership, or legal relationship.

## Examples

- Stir the water until the sugar starts to dissolve.
- The board of directors voted to dissolve the partnership after several years of declining profits.
- In parliamentary systems, the head of state may dissolve the legislature to trigger an early election, effectively ending the current session and resetting the political mandate.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The sugar was dissolved into the water." but "The sugar dissolved in the water." — While 'was dissolved' is grammatically possible, 'dissolve' is commonly used as an ergative verb where the substance itself is the subject.

## Usage notes

- The verb is both transitive and intransitive. When used in a legal context, it typically takes a direct object such as 'marriage', 'partnership', or 'parliament'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.