solvent

1 of 2

adjective

sol·​vent ˈsäl-vənt How to pronounce solvent (audio)
ˈsȯl-
Synonyms of solventnext
1
: able to pay all legal debts
a solvent company
2
: that dissolves or can dissolve
solvent action of water
solvently adverb

solvent

2 of 2

noun

1
: a usually liquid substance capable of dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances
2
: something that provides a solution
3
: something that eliminates or attenuates something especially unwanted
solventless adjective

Examples of solvent in a Sentence

Adjective He couldn't stay solvent after losing his business.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The public received the news last night that the struggling school district was finally projecting to be fiscally solvent at the end of the school year, the first good news about the district’s budget since its large deficit was discovered. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 7 Feb. 2026 The result is a faster, greener process that significantly lowers energy and solvent consumption while delivering high yields and exceptional purity, making large-scale Duzhong rubber production more practical and sustainable. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
Positioned as the brand’s first solvent-free shoe, the style extends Keen’s long-running Detox the Planet program into a fully modular build. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026 To lift the stain, blot it with the solvent using a clean cloth, working from the outside in. Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for solvent

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin solvent-, solvens, present participle of solvere to dissolve, pay

First Known Use

Adjective

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of solvent was in 1630

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Solvent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solvent. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

solvent

1 of 2 adjective
sol·​vent ˈsäl-vənt How to pronounce solvent (audio)
ˈsȯl-
: able to pay all legal debts

solvent

2 of 2 noun
: a usually liquid substance capable of dissolving one or more other substances

Medical Definition

solvent

1 of 2 adjective
: that dissolves or can dissolve
solvent fluids
solvent action of water

solvent

2 of 2 noun
: a substance capable of or used in dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances
especially : a liquid component of a solution present in greater amount than the solute

Legal Definition

solvent

adjective
sol·​vent ˈsäl-vənt How to pronounce solvent (audio)
: able to pay all legal debts as they become due

More from Merriam-Webster on solvent

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