solvent - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

Solvent’s meaning changes pretty drastically depending on its part of speech. As a noun, solvent is either a certain kind of chemical or an idea that solves a problem. As an adjective, solvent describes someone who's got cash on hand.

A solvent dissolves other chemicals, which is why it's also easy to remember: solvent is a chemical used to dissolve other chemicals. The adjective solvent, on the other hand, comes from a French verb that means "loosen." In these tough economic times, only those banks that are solvent are in a position to loosen the cash flow and start lending money. No cash? You're not solvent.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: solvent

1	adj	capable of meeting financial obligations
2	n	a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances
3	n	a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: solvent

1

adj capable of meeting financial obligations

Antonyms:: insolvent
unable to meet or discharge financial obligations; bankrupt, belly-up
financially ruined; show more antonyms...

2

n a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances

“the solvent does not change its state in forming a solution”

Synonyms:: dissolvent, dissolver, dissolving agent, resolvent

Types:: show 11 types...; hide 11 types...; acetone, dimethyl ketone, propanone
the simplest ketone; a highly inflammable liquid widely used as an organic solvent and as material for making plastics; chlorobenzene
a colorless volatile flammable liquid with an almond odor that is made from chlorine and benzene; used as a solvent and in the production of phenol and DDT and other organic compounds; carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene, oxybenzene, phenol, phenylic acid
a toxic white soluble crystalline acidic derivative of benzene; used in manufacturing and as a disinfectant and antiseptic; poisonous if taken internally; carbon tet, carbon tetrachloride, perchloromethane, tetrachloromethane
a colorless nonflammable liquid used as a solvent for fats and oils; because of its toxicity its use as a cleaning fluid or fire extinguisher has declined; hexane
a colorless flammable liquid alkane derived from petroleum and used as a solvent; menstruum
(archaic) a solvent; naphtha
any of various volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures; used chiefly as solvents; remover
a solvent that removes a substance (usually from a surface); alcahest, alkahest, universal solvent
hypothetical universal solvent once sought by alchemists; methylbenzene, toluene
a colorless flammable liquid obtained from petroleum or coal tar; used as a solvent for gums and lacquers and in high-octane fuels; xylene, xylol
a colorless flammable volatile liquid hydrocarbon used as a solvent

Type of:: medium
an intervening substance through which something is achieved

3

n a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem

Synonyms:: answer, resolution, result, solution

Types:: denouement
the final resolution of the main complication of a literary or dramatic work

Type of:: statement
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc