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Meaning & use

solid

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈsɒlɪd/
US/ˈsɑːlɪd/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Hard and firm in form, not liquid or gas, and not hollow inside.

    Grammar: Can stand before a noun or after be: a solid block, the ice is solid.

    Patterns

    • be solid
    • solid with something

    The pond was frozen solid by January.

    He carved the figure from a single solid piece of oak.

    Water becomes solid when it freezes.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Strong, well built and not likely to collapse or break.

    Grammar: Describes structures or objects: a solid wall.

    Patterns

    • a solid foundation

    The old bridge is still perfectly solid.

    They built the house on solid rock.

  3. adjectivecomparablefigurative

    Reliable, sensible and well supported by good reasons or evidence.

    Grammar: Usually before a noun: solid advice, a solid player.

    Patterns

    • a solid performance
    • solid evidence

    She gave us some solid advice about saving money.

    The team put in a solid performance on Saturday.

  4. adjectivenot comparable

    Made of one material throughout, or continuous with no gaps.

    Grammar: Often before a noun or after a measure: solid gold, two solid hours.

    Patterns

    • solid gold
    • three hours solid

    The ring is solid silver.

    I worked for five solid hours without a break.

Word forms

comparativesolider
superlativesolidest

Common combinations

solid ground
After the boat ride, it was good to stand on solid ground.
solid evidence
The police had no solid evidence.
freeze solid
The lake froze solid overnight.
solid foundation
Good habits give you a solid foundation.
solid gold
The trophy is solid gold.

Synonyms and how they differ

firm
Stresses resistance to pressure, while solid also suggests not being liquid or hollow.
sturdy
Focuses on being strongly built, and is used for objects rather than arguments.
dependable
Describes people or things you can rely on, with no physical meaning.

Opposites

liquidhollowflimsy

Word family

solidity noun
the quality of being firm or strong
solidify verb
to become or make hard
solidly adverb
firmly, or without a break
solidarity noun
unity among people with shared aims

Commonly confused: solid or stolid?

solid vs stolid

Stolid means showing little emotion; it has nothing to do with physical firmness.

Practice

The detective said there was no ___ evidence linking the man to the crime.

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