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solve

v.
US //ˈsɑɫv// UK //sˈɒlv// solve
  1. 1 to find an answer (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to find the correct answer to a problem, a puzzle, or a difficult situation.

    to find a solution to a problem, puzzle, or difficult situation through reasoning or investigation.

    Example

    It took me nearly an hour to solve the crossword puzzle in the newspaper.

    Example

    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.
  2. 2 to explain a mystery (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to find out who committed a crime or why something mysterious happened.

    to discover the perpetrator, motive, or explanation for a crime or mystery.

    Example

    The police finally solved the case after finding new evidence in the basement.

    Example

    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'.
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  1. 3 mathematics (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Technical Math

    to find the value of a number in a math problem.

    to find the values of variables that satisfy a system of equations or inequalities.

    Example

    You need to solve for x to find the length of the triangle's side.

    Example

    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.
Origin

From Middle English solven, from Latin solvō.

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