solve

noun

(now rare, chiefly law enforcement) A solution; an explanation.

verb

To find an answer or solution to a problem or question; to work out.

to find out the perpetrator, the motive etc (of crime)

(mathematics) To find the values of variables that satisfy a system of equations and/or inequalities.

(mathematics) To algebraically manipulate an equation or inequality into a form that isolates a chosen variable on one side, so that the other side consists of an expression that may be used to generate solutions.

(transitive) To loosen or separate the parts of.

(chemistry, archaic) To dissolve

Roots

solvosolv- · Latin · loosen, dissolve

Synonyms for solve

resolvev unriddle riddlen fixv unravelv untanglev disentanglev decipherv settlev explainv

Synonyms & related words for solve

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of solve — including resolve, unriddle, riddle, fix, unravel, untangle. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to solve

Explore words related to solve — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include solvable, unsolvable, solver, insolvable, resoluble, resolvability, problem, resolvable. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for solve

Common synonyms for solve include resolve, unriddle, riddle, fix, unravel, untangle, disentangle, decipher — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does solve come from?

The word solve breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root solv-, from Latin solvo (“loosen, dissolve”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.