# resolve

/ɹiˈzɑɫv/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/resolve
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to solve a problem

verb · CEFR B2

to find a successful way to deal with a problem or a disagreement.

For teachers: to find a solution to a problem, dispute, or contentious matter. Transitive; requires a direct object.

- The two companies hope to resolve their argument without going to court.
- The management team met for several hours to resolve the outstanding issues regarding the new employment contracts.

### 2. to decide firmly

verb · CEFR B2

to make a very strong and firm decision to do something.

For teachers: to make a firm decision or formal expression of intent. Often followed by a 'to' infinitive or a 'that' clause.

- After the long holiday, she resolved to exercise every morning.
- The committee resolved that the project should proceed immediately despite the projected increase in material costs.

### 3. to separate into parts

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to break something down into its smaller, basic parts.

For teachers: to separate or break down a complex substance, idea, or image into its constituent parts or elements.

- The prism resolved the white light into the colors of the rainbow.
- The chemical process is designed to resolve the compound into its individual enantiomers for further pharmaceutical testing.

### 4. to make visible or clear

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to show the individual parts of an image clearly, like on a screen or through a lens.

For teachers: to render visible or distinguishable the individual parts of an image or signal.

- The new telescope can resolve distant stars that look like a single point of light.
- The software must resolve the hostname to an IP address before the connection can be established.

### 5. music

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to move from a tense or clashing sound to a relaxing, pleasant one.

For teachers: to cause a chord or melody to move from a state of dissonance to consonance.

- The song sounds beautiful when the final tense note resolves to the main key.
- The composer uses a series of suspended chords that eventually resolve into a triumphant major triad.

### 6. determination

noun · CEFR B2

strong determination to do something even when it is difficult.

For teachers: firmness of purpose or intent; unyielding determination. Uncountable in this sense.

- The difficult climb tested his resolve to reach the top of the mountain.
- The recent setbacks have only strengthened the government's resolve to push forward with the economic reforms.

## Examples

- The difficult climb tested her resolve to reach the top.
- Despite the initial setbacks and lack of funding, the team's resolve to finish the project never wavered.
- The leader's quiet resolve in the face of mounting political pressure served to steady the nerves of the entire administration during the crisis.

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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.