Definitions for solve
sɒlvsolve

Princeton's WordNet(4.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. solve, work out, figure out, puzzle out, lick, work(verb)

   find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of

   "did you solve the problem?"; "Work out your problems with the boss"; "this unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out"; "did you get it?"; "Did you get my meaning?"; "He could not work the math problem"

2. resolve, solve(verb)

   find the solution

   "solve an equation"; "solve for x"

3. clear, solve(verb)

   settle, as of a debt

   "clear a debt"; "solve an old debt"

Wiktionary(1.33 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. solve(Verb)

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

2. solve(Verb)

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

3. solve(Verb)

   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.

Origin: From solvo.

Webster Dictionary(1.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Solve(verb)

   to explain; to resolve; to unfold; to clear up (what is obscure or difficult to be understood); to work out to a result or conclusion; as, to solve a doubt; to solve difficulties; to solve a problem

2. Solve(noun)

   a solution; an explanation

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Sölve

   Sölve was a sea-king who conquered Sweden by burning the Swedish king Östen to death inside his hall. The Heimskringla relates that he was the son Högne of Nærøy, and that he had his home in Jutland. He pillaged in the Baltic Sea and at night they made shore in the hundred of Lofond/Lovund where they surrounded a house and set it on fire killing everybody inside. In the house there was a feast where the Swedish king Östen was invited. Then Sölve and his men arrived in Sigtuna and declared that the Swedes had to accept him as king. The Swedes refused and fought Sölve for eleven days until they lost. Sölve then ruled Sweden until the Swedes rebelled and killed him. Historia Norwegiae only relates that the Geats burnt Östen and his people to death inside his house. Sölvi also appears in Half's saga, of which there is a version from the year 1300. This saga relates that Sölvi was the son of Högne the rich of Nærøy fyrir Naumundalsminni in Norway and that he was the brother of Hild the Slender. Sölvi's brother-in-law, Hjorleiv, was the king of Hordaland and Rogaland and Hjorleiv killed Hreidar, the king of Zealand. Then Hjorleiv put Sölvi as the jarl of Zealand. Later in the saga, Sölvi is no longer the jarl of Zealand, but the king of Sweden. Hjorleiv had a son named Half, and after the Norwegian king Asmund had killed Half, a couple of his champions go to Sweden and king Sölvi.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(2.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Solve

   solv, v.t. to loosen or separate the parts of: to clear up or explain: to remove.—ns. Solvabil′ity, Sol′vableness, capacity of being solved.—adj. Sol′vable, capable of being solved or explained: capable of being paid.—n. Sol′vency, state of being solvent, or able to pay all debts.—adj. Sol′vent, having power to solve or dissolve: able to pay all debts.—n. anything that dissolves another.—n. Sol′ver, one who solves. [O. Fr. solver—L. solvĕre, to loosen, prob. from se-, aside, luĕre, to loosen.]

Editors Contribution(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. solve

   To know the answer to, understand or, know the meaning or reason for an event or moment.

   As we learn and evolve we solve things by asking, questioning and receiving the answer we need, this then provides with the solution. The Scientist and Mathematician gain understanding of equations and this empower them to change the outcomes.

   Submitted by MC Harmonious on October 29, 2015

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'solve' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4753

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'solve' in Written Corpus Frequency: #3770

3. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'solve' in Verbs Frequency: #493

Anagrams for solve »

1. loves, voles

2. Loves

3. Voles

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of solve in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of solve in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of solve in a Sentence

1. Jeff Cotner:

   We can't solve this crime alone.

2. The President:

   America knows how to solve problems.

3. Laurence Tubiana:

   Paris will not solve all, of course.

4. Debasish Mridha, M.D.:

   To solve your problems, stop worrying.

5. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio:

   Anger alone will not solve our problems.

Images & Illustrations of solve

Popularity rank by frequency of use