# solvent

/ˈsɑɫvənt/ (US) · /sˈɒlvənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/solvent
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. financially healthy

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

having enough money to pay all your debts and bills on time.

For teachers: possessing sufficient assets to meet all financial obligations and liabilities as they fall due.

- The company worked hard to stay solvent during the economic crisis.
- The auditor confirmed that the firm remained solvent, though its liquidity was significantly tighter than in previous fiscal years.

Usage: Usually describes a business or a person's financial state.

### 2. able to dissolve

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

having the power to dissolve another substance.

For teachers: capable of dissolving another substance, typically a solute, to form a homogeneous solution.

- The solvent properties of water make it essential for many chemical reactions.
- The researcher tested several solvent agents to determine which would most effectively break down the polymer coating without damaging the substrate.

### 3. a dissolving liquid

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a liquid that is used to dissolve a solid or another liquid.

For teachers: a substance, usually a liquid, in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution.

- You can use a special solvent to remove the old paint from the wood.
- Industrial solvents must be handled with extreme caution due to their high volatility and potential toxicity in poorly ventilated spaces.

## Examples

- The company remained solvent despite the economic downturn.
- After years of careful saving and debt repayment, the family was finally solvent again.
- The auditor's report confirmed that the firm was solvent, though it warned that liquidity might become an issue if the current credit freeze continued into the next quarter.

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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.