English Reference

Word

insoluble

Phoneticsin·sol·u·ble

US/ˌɪnˈsɑɫjəbəɫ/

UK/ɪnsˈɒljuːbəl/

Definition

adj. describing a problem or situation that cannot be fixed or explained. It also describes a substance that cannot be dissolved in a liquid.

adj. incapable of being solved, explained, or dissolved in a particular solvent. Often used to describe complex or persistent problems that defy resolution.

Examples

“The two companies have an insoluble problem.”

“The scientist discovered that the new polymer was insoluble in water, making it difficult to clean up.”

“The conflict between the two nations reached an insoluble point, as neither side was willing to compromise on its core territorial claims.”

Examples

simple

“The two companies have an insoluble problem.”

contextual

“The scientist discovered that the new polymer was insoluble in water, making it difficult to clean up.”

complex

“The conflict between the two nations reached an insoluble point, as neither side was willing to compromise on its core territorial claims.”

Real-World Examples

“When cells assemble glycogen incorrectly, or when quality-control mechanisms fail, the sugar becomes poorly branched and settles into dense, insoluble clumps called polyglucosan bodies.”
Phys.org · 17 Sept 2026
“The trouble begins when the chains get longer and the wrappers needed to stabilize them become insoluble in the liquid.”
Phys.org · 6 Sept 2026

Etymology

From Middle English insolible, from Middle French insoluble, from Latin insolūbilis, from in- + solūbilis. Piecewise doublet of insolvable and unsolvable. By surface analysis, in- + soluble.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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