Word
dissolve
Meanings
To mix a solid into a liquid so that it becomes part of the liquid and is no longer visible as separate pieces.
To officially end or break up an organization, committee, or partnership.
To gradually disappear or fade away.
Definition
To dissolve means to make something become part of a liquid or to end something so it no longer exists as a separate group or structure.
To dissolve can mean that a solid mixes completely into a liquid, forming a solution so you can no longer see the original material. It can also mean to officially end an organization, committee, or partnership. In more general use, it may describe something gradually disappearing or fading away. The meaning is usually clear from whether the context is physical (liquid) or organizational/social.
Examples
- I watched the tablet dissolve in the glass before I drank the mixture.
- You can dissolve the sauce thickener in cold water first to avoid lumps.
- She decided to dissolve the working group once its main objective was achieved.
- They saw the tension dissolve as soon as the facilitator reframed the discussion.
- The distant silhouette seemed to dissolve into the fog as the train pulled away.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse dissolve with resolve, but dissolve means “mix into liquid” or “break up,” while resolve means “solve” or “decide.”
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.