WordValesolute
a substance dissolved in a solvent
In more detail
a substance that is dissolved in a liquid, especially in water
Examples
- Salt is the solute when you dissolve it in water to make seawater.
How to use solute
Solute refers specifically to the substance being dissolved, as opposed to the solvent (the liquid doing the dissolving). It is used primarily in chemistry, biochemistry, and scientific contexts when discussing solutions and their components. The term emphasizes the relationship between two substances rather than just the substance itself.
Common phrases
- solute concentration
- solute particles
- solute dissolves
- solute molecules
- aqueous solute
- dissolved solute
Synonyms
dissolved substance · solvent component · dispersed particle
Opposites
solvent · suspension
Word family
solution · dissolve · solubility · soluble
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse solute with solvent or use the terms interchangeably, when in fact a solute is dissolved IN a solvent, not the other way around.
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