Word
solidify
Phoneticsso·lid·i·fy, stress on the second syllable
US/səˈɫɪdəˌfaɪ/
UK/səlˈɪdɪfˌaɪ/
Definition
v. to become hard and firm, or to make something more certain and permanent. You use this when a liquid turns into a solid or when an idea becomes a real plan.
v. to change from a liquid to a solid state; to make something more permanent, stable, or certain. Often describes the transition of physical matter or the consolidation of abstract concepts.
Examples
“The liquid begins to solidify as it cools down.”
“The new government needs to solidify its power by passing several important laws in the first year.”
“As the negotiations progressed, the initial agreement began to solidify into a formal treaty that both nations could sign without hesitation.”
Examples
simple
“The liquid begins to solidify as it cools down.”
contextual
“The new government needs to solidify its power by passing several important laws in the first year.”
complex
“As the negotiations progressed, the initial agreement began to solidify into a formal treaty that both nations could sign without hesitation.”
Real-World Examples
“The announcement solidifies tackling homelessness as a central policy for Burnham’s government, and gives voters a measure by which to judge his success – although without a concrete target for ministers to hit.” “These pockets of magma often become trapped beneath the lithosphere, where they slowly cool and solidify into CO 2 -rich igneous rocks.” Etymology
From French solidifier. By surface analysis, solid + -ify.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/solidify