# solid

/ˈsɑɫəd/ (US) · /sˈɒlɪd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. firm and hard

adjective · CEFR A2

firm and hard; not a liquid or a gas.

For teachers: having a firm and stable shape; not liquid or gaseous.

- Water turns into solid ice when the temperature drops below freezing.
- The chemist explained that at room temperature, the element remains a solid rather than transitioning into a liquid state.

### 2. not hollow

adjective · CEFR B1

made of the same material all the way through, with no holes or empty space inside.

For teachers: not hollow or containing gaps; consisting entirely of a specific substance throughout its volume.

- The door was made of solid oak, making it very heavy and strong.
- The sculpture was carved from a solid block of marble, ensuring there were no structural weaknesses or internal fissures.

### 3. reliable or good

adjective · CEFR B2

reliable, dependable, or of good quality.

For teachers: dependable and of high quality; providing a sound basis for trust or further action.

- She gave a solid performance in the play and the audience loved her.
- The researcher provided solid evidence to support her theory, convincing even the most skeptical members of the board.

### 4. continuous

adjective · CEFR B2

without any gaps or interruptions.

For teachers: continuous in time or space; without breaks or punctuation.

- The rain continued for three solid days, causing the river to overflow.
- He worked for eight solid hours without a break to ensure the project was finished before the deadline.

### 5. one color

adjective · CEFR B1

having only one color all over, without any patterns or stripes.

For teachers: of a single uniform color throughout; lacking patterns, stripes, or variegation.

- I prefer wearing solid colors like blue or black rather than busy patterns.
- The interior designer recommended solid curtains to balance the intricate floral wallpaper in the master bedroom.

### 6. state of matter

noun · CEFR B1

a substance that stays in the same shape and does not flow like a liquid.

For teachers: a substance in a physical state characterized by structural rigidity and resistance to changes in shape or volume.

- The teacher asked the students to list three examples of solids found in the classroom.
- In physics, a solid is defined by its ability to maintain a fixed volume and shape regardless of its container.

### 7. a favor

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a helpful act or a favor for someone.

For teachers: a favor or helpful act performed for another person.

- Could you do me a solid and watch my dog while I go to the store?
- He asked his colleague to do him a solid by covering his shift on Friday afternoon.

Usage: Usually used in the phrase 'do someone a solid'.

## Examples

- The ice on the pond was solid enough to skate on.
- We chose a solid oak table because it would not wobble under the weight of all our books.
- Though the old footbridge looked rickety, surveyors confirmed that its stone foundations were still solid after two centuries of use.

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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.