noun

solvent

/ˈsɒlvənt/ · say it: SOL·vuhnt

a liquid in which other substances dissolve

In Science & Nature

In more detail

1. (adjective) able to pay all debts and financial obligations

2. (noun) a liquid used to dissolve other substances

Examples

1. The company remained solvent throughout the economic crisis.
2. Paint thinner is a common solvent used to clean brushes.

How to use solvent

As an adjective, solvent describes a financial state where an entity can pay its debts; it is formal and primarily used in financial or legal contexts. As a noun, it refers to a chemical substance (like acetone or turpentine) used in manufacturing, cleaning, or chemistry labs. The noun form is neutral to technical depending on context; solvent abuse is a colloquial phrase for inhaling solvents as drugs.

Common phrases

solvent company
solvent ratio
solvent abuse
organic solvent
non-toxic solvent
solvent properties

Synonyms

financially sound · creditworthy · liquid · cash-positive · able to meet obligations

Opposites

insolvent · bankrupt · indebted

Word family

insolvency (noun) · insolvently (adverb) · solvency (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse solvent (able to pay debts) with soluble (able to be dissolved), or fail to recognize that the noun solvent and adjective solvent have quite different semantic domains.

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