Word
solve
US/ˈsɑɫv/
UK/sˈɒlv/
Definitions
01to find an answer
A2 · Elementary
v. to find the correct answer to a problem, a puzzle, or a difficult situation.
v. to find a solution to a problem, puzzle, or difficult situation through reasoning or investigation.
日本語:解く、解決する※
“It took me nearly an hour to solve the crossword puzzle in the newspaper.”
“The engineering team worked through the night to solve the technical glitch that had halted production for three days.”
Usage
Transitive verb taking a direct object representing the problem or puzzle.
Antonyms
02to explain a mystery
B1 · Intermediate
v. to find out who committed a crime or why something mysterious happened.
v. to discover the perpetrator, motive, or explanation for a crime or mystery.
日本語:解く※
“The police finally solved the case after finding new evidence in the basement.”
“Detectives spent months reviewing forensic data before they could finally solve the mystery of the missing inheritance.”
Usage
Commonly collocates with 'crime', 'mystery', 'case', or 'murder'.
03mathematics
B1 · Intermediate Mathematics Technical
v. to find the value of a number in a math problem.
v. to find the values of variables that satisfy a system of equations or inequalities.
日本語:解く※
“You need to solve for x to find the length of the triangle's side.”
“Students were asked to solve the quadratic equation using both the formula and the completing-the-square method.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'for' when identifying a specific variable.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “solve” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English solven, from Latin solvō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/solve
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0