Meaning & use
dissolved
Last updated
“dissolved” is a form of “dissolve”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Mixed completely into a liquid and no longer visible as a solid.
Grammar: No object; often used after 'be' or 'become': The sugar dissolved quickly.
Patterns
- dissolve in something
- be dissolved in something
Stir the mixture until the sugar has dissolved.
The tablet dissolved in water in just a few minutes.
Salt dissolves easily in warm water.
verbtransitive
To make a solid mix into a liquid until it disappears.
Grammar: Takes an object: Dissolve the powder in water.
Patterns
- dissolve something in something
- dissolve something into something
Dissolve the yeast in a little warm water before adding it to the flour.
You can dissolve the medicine in juice if the child refuses to take it.
Heat the pan gently to dissolve the butter.
verbtransitive
To officially end an organization, marriage, or legal agreement.
Grammar: Takes an object: The company was dissolved by the court.
Patterns
- dissolve a marriage
- dissolve an organization
- dissolve parliament
The court dissolved the marriage after only six months.
The president decided to dissolve parliament and call new elections.
The company was dissolved because it could no longer pay its debts.
verbintransitive
To gradually become weaker or fade away, especially an image or sound.
Grammar: No object; often used with 'into' or 'away': The scene dissolved into darkness.
Patterns
- dissolve into something
- dissolve away
The music slowly dissolved into silence.
The picture on the screen dissolved into a blur.
Her anger dissolved when she saw how sorry he was.
Word forms
| third person singular | dissolves |
|---|---|
| past tense | dissolved |
| past participle | dissolved |
| -ing form | dissolving |
Common combinations
- dissolve in water
- The painkiller will dissolve in water within seconds.
- dissolve completely
- The sugar dissolved completely, leaving no grains behind.
- dissolve slowly
- This type of rock dissolves slowly in acid rain.
- dissolve a marriage
- They asked the court to dissolve the marriage.
- dissolve into tears
- She dissolved into tears when she heard the news.
Synonyms and how they differ
- melt
- Use 'melt' for solids turning to liquid through heat, like ice or butter; use 'dissolved' when a solid mixes into a liquid and seems to vanish.
- break up
- More informal and often used for relationships or groups ending; 'dissolve' is more formal and legal.
- fade
- Used for sounds or images becoming weaker; 'dissolve' suggests a gradual, smooth disappearance.
Opposites
Word family
- dissolve verb
- The base form, meaning to mix into a liquid or end officially.
- dissolution noun
- The act of formally ending something, such as a marriage or organization.
- dissolvable adjective
- Able to be dissolved, especially in water.
Commonly confused: dissolved or resolved? dissolved or diluted?
dissolved vs resolved
Sounds similar but means 'solved' or 'decided'; 'dissolved' means mixed into a liquid or ended officially.
dissolved vs diluted
Means made weaker by adding water or another liquid; 'dissolved' means the solid has mixed in completely, not just become weaker.
Practice
The sugar ______ quickly when I stirred it into the hot tea.
Choose one answer.
The sugar mixed into the tea and disappeared, so 'dissolved' is correct. 'Melted' would mean it turned to liquid from heat alone, but here it mixed into the liquid. 'Resolved' means solved, and 'diluted' means made weaker, which does not fit the context of a solid disappearing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dissolved”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.