solve

A2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /sɑlv/ UK /sɒlv/ See IPA manual

Minimal pairs

Sounds like salve /æ/ vs /ɑ/

Freq #2291

Meanings

1

verb
To find the answer to a problem or question.

Did you solve the problem?
2

verb
To find out who committed a crime and how.

The detective finally solved the murder after months of work.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to find the answer to a... resolve decipher

More absolve meliorate ravel riddle sleuthunpuzzleunravel unriddleunsolveupsolve

Opposites

confusemissolve

Word family

Forms solvedsolvessolving

Derived forms backsolvemissolvepresolveproblem-solvere-solvesolvablesolvibleunsolveupsolve

Related forms absolve dissolve resolve solublesolutesolution solvent

Appears in

Phrases (3)

See all

solve a crime
find the answer to who committed a crime and how

Verb + noun
solve a problem
to find an answer or solution to a difficulty

Verb + noun
solve a case
to find the answer or resolution to a crime or problem under investigation

Verb + noun

Simplified etymology

Solve entered English in the late Middle Ages from Latin solvere, meaning “loosen” or “unfasten.” Its early English senses included “loosen,” “dissolve,” and “untie.”

Etymology

From Middle English solven, from Latin solvō.

*lewh₁- Proto-Indo-European solven Middle English solvō Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

markdown