solve
to find an answer to a problem
to solve a problem
Oxford Essential Dictionary
solve
verb (solves, solving, solved )
to find the answer to a question or problem:
The police are still trying to solve the crime.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
solve
solve S2 W3 /sɒlv $ sɑːlv/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑solution, ↑solvent, ↑solubility, ↑insolvency; adjective: ↑soluble ≠ ↑insoluble, ↑unsolved, ↑solvent ≠ ↑insolvent, ↑solvable ≠ ↑insolvable; verb: ↑solve; adverb: ↑insolvably]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: solvere 'to loosen, solve, dissolve, pay']
1. to find or provide a way of dealing with a problem ⇨ solution:
Charlie thinks money will solve all his problems.
the best way of solving our dilemma
2. to find the correct answer to a problem or the explanation for something that is difficult to understand ⇨ solution
solve a crime/mystery/case etc
More than 70% of murder cases were solved last year.
attempts to solve a mathematical equation
solve a puzzle/riddle
—solvable adjective
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ nouns
▪ solve a problem He solved the problem by moving the aggressive fish to a separate tank.
▪ solve a crisis Congress had not been able to solve the financial crisis.
▪ solve a dispute/conflict They have agreed to solve their disputes solely by peaceful means.
▪ solve a dilemma Can you solve my dilemma?
▪ solve somebody's difficulties You can't solve your difficulties by running away.
▪ solve a question Did they really think the Jerusalem question would be solved in a week?
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ nouns
▪ solve a crime/case The crime was never solved.
▪ solve a murder Police have called for witnesses to help them solve the murder.
▪ solve a mystery Staff at the library think they have solved the mystery.
▪ solve a puzzle You progress through the game by solving puzzles.
▪ solve a riddle They still haven't really solved the riddle of how the pyramids were built.
▪ solve an equation At the age of six, he could solve complicated mathematical equations.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
solve
solve [solve solves solved solving] [sɒlv] [sɑːlv] [sɔːlv] verb
1. ~ sth to find a way of dealing with a problem or difficult situation
• Attempts are being made to solve the problem of waste disposal.
• You can't solve anything by just running away.
2. ~ sth to find the correct answer or explanation for sth
• to solve an equation/a puzzle/a riddle
• to solve a crime/mystery
Word Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘loosen, dissolve, untie’): from Latin solvere ‘loosen, unfasten’.
Thesaurus:
solve verb
1. T
• You can't solve your difficulties by running away.
resolve • • settle • • straighten sb/sth out • |especially BrE, especially spoken sort sth out • • sort •
solve/resolve/settle/straighten out/sort out problem/situation/dispute/crisis
solve/resolve/settle things
straighten/sort things out
2. T
• The mystery has not yet been solved.
do • • clear sth up • • crack • |especially BrE, especially spoken work sth out • |especially AmE, especially spoken figure sb/sth out •
solve/do/work out a/an puzzle/equation
solve/clear up/crack a case/mystery
solve/clear up a crime/murder/investigation
Example Bank:
• Being with friends does not necessarily solve my problem.
• Being with peers and friends does not necessarily solve this feeling of loneliness.
• It doesn't really solve the problem.
• She's really good at solving problems.
• The mystery has not yet been completely solved.
• The problem cannot be solved with spending cuts alone.
• This question has never been satisfactorily solved.
• We hope the difficulty can be solved by getting the two sides together to discuss the issues.
• We need to focus on solving the country's problem.
• We were given clues to help us solve the puzzle.
• a plan designed to solve the housing problem
• research aimed at solving the growing problem of child obesity
• their appeal for help in solving the case
• Attempts are being made to solve the problem of waste disposal in the town.
• The Board met several times last week to try to solve the firm's financial crisis.
• Unemployment will not be solved by offering low-paid jobs in call centres.
• You can't solve all your difficulties by running away.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
solve / sɒlv / / sɑːlv / verb [ T ]
B1 to find an answer to a problem:
to solve a problem
to solve a mystery/puzzle
Just calm down - shouting won't solve anything!
This strategy could cause more problems than it solves.
Police are still no nearer to solving the crime.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
solve
[sɒ̱lv]
♦♦♦
solves, solving, solved
VERB
If you solve a problem or a question, you find a solution or an answer to it.
[V n] Their domestic reforms did nothing to solve the problem of unemployment...
[V n] We may now be able to get a much better idea of the true age of the universe, and solve one of the deepest questions of our origins.
Syn:
resolve
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
solve
solve /ˈsɑːlv/ verb solves; solved; solv·ing [+ obj]
1 : to find a way to deal with and end (a problem)
• They are working to solve the traffic problem.
• If they'll lend us the money we need, all our problems will be solved.
2 a : to find the correct answer to (something, such as a riddle)
• She solved the riddle/puzzle.
• He couldn't solve the math problem.
b : to find the correct explanation for (something, such as a mystery)
• The mystery/crime has been solved.
• The FBI has been trying to solve the case for years.
- solv·able /ˈsɑːlvəbəl/ adj
• an easily solvable mystery
- solv·er noun, pl -ers [count]
• She's a good problem solver.
