Meaning & use
dissolve
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To mix completely into a liquid and become part of it, or to make a solid do this.
Grammar: Can be used without an object (sugar dissolves) or with one (dissolve the sugar in water).
Patterns
- dissolve in something
- dissolve something in something
- dissolve into something
Stir the powder until it dissolves completely in the warm water.
Salt dissolves more quickly in hot water than in cold water.
She dissolved the tablet in a glass of juice before drinking it.
verbtransitive
To officially end an organization, marriage, or legal arrangement.
Grammar: Takes an object: dissolve parliament, dissolve a marriage.
Patterns
- dissolve a marriage
- dissolve an organization
- dissolve parliament
The couple decided to dissolve their marriage after ten years.
The government dissolved parliament and called new elections.
The company was dissolved after it failed to pay its debts.
verbintransitive
To disappear gradually or become weaker until something is gone.
Grammar: No object; often used with into or away: dissolve into laughter, dissolve away.
Patterns
- dissolve into something
- dissolve away
The tension in the room dissolved as soon as she smiled.
His anger slowly dissolved after they talked it through.
The crowd dissolved into laughter at his joke.
Word forms
| third person singular | dissolves |
|---|---|
| past tense | dissolved |
| past participle | dissolved |
| -ing form | dissolving |
Common combinations
- dissolve in water
- This medicine is designed to dissolve in water.
- dissolve completely
- The sugar should dissolve completely before you add the yeast.
- dissolve a marriage
- They hired a lawyer to dissolve the marriage quickly.
- dissolve into tears
- She dissolved into tears when she heard the news.
- dissolve parliament
- The prime minister can dissolve parliament and call an election.
Synonyms and how they differ
- melt
- Use melt for solids turning to liquid with heat, like ice or butter; dissolve is for a solid mixing into a liquid to form a solution.
- disband
- Disband is used for groups like bands or clubs breaking up; dissolve is more formal and used for official bodies or marriages.
- disappear
- Disappear simply means go out of sight; dissolve suggests a gradual fading away, often of feelings or crowds.
Opposites
Word family
- dissolution noun
- The official ending of an organization, marriage, or agreement.
- dissolvable adjective
- Able to be dissolved, especially in liquid.
- dissolving adjective
- Describing something that is in the process of dissolving.
Commonly confused: dissolve or resolve?
dissolve vs resolve
Resolve means to find a solution to a problem or to decide firmly; dissolve means to mix into a liquid or to end something officially. They sound similar but have very different meanings.
Practice
The sugar will ______ faster if you stir the tea.
Choose one answer.
Dissolve is correct because sugar mixes into a liquid to form a solution. Melt is for solids turning to liquid with heat (like butter), disappear means go out of sight, and resolve means to solve a problem or decide.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dissolve”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.