Word family noun solution solvent solubility insolvency adjective soluble ≠ insoluble unsolved solvent ≠ insolvent solvable ≠ insolvable verb solve adverb insolvably
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishsolutionso‧lu‧tion /səˈluːʃən/ ●●● S2 W1 noun 1 [countable]SOLVE/DEAL WITH A PROBLEM a way of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation → solve The best solution would be for them to separate.solution to/for There are no simple solutions to the problem of overpopulation.2 [countable]ANSWER/RESULT the correct answer to a problem in an exercise or competition SYN answer, → solvesolution to The solution to last week’s puzzle is on page 12.3 [countable, uncountable]HC a liquid in which a solid or gas has been mixed a weak sugar solution saline solutionCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesa good solutionA good solution is to harvest the crop early in September.the best/perfect/ideal solutionLocking people in prison is not necessarily the ideal solution.an effective solutionThe government has failed to come up with an effective solution.a satisfactory solution (=good enough)We will not rest until a satisfactory solution is found.a neat solution (=simple and clever)This sounded like a neat solution to the skills shortage.the only solutionThe only solution is to greatly reduce our use of water.the real solution (=the only good solution)The real solution to the waste problem is to produce much less waste.a possible solutionThere are three possible solutions to this problem.an alternative solutionWe need to look for alternative solutions.a simple/easy solutionThere is no easy solution to this problem.a quick/speedy solutionWe need to find a quick solution.a practical/workable solution (=one that is really possible)They've had to find practical solutions to practical problems.a long-term solution (=one that will be effective for a long time)A long-term solution to the problem will not be possible until that conflict is resolved.a quick-fix solution (=one that solves a problem for a short time only)He has accused the government of looking for quick-fix solutions.a peaceful/political solution (=one that does not involve fighting)We will continue to work strenuously for a political solution acceptable to all parties.verbsfind/come up with a solutionWe are working together to find the best solution we can.seek/look for a solutionThe company is still seeking a solution to its financial problems.provide/offer a solutionI don't think that tourism will provide a long-term solution to rural employment problems.suggest/put forward a solutionThe chairman put forward a possible solution. Examples from the Corpus
solution• We can help you find a solution to all your financial problems.• Sleeping tablets are not the best solution to insomnia as they upset the natural rhythm of sleep.• Making the parts smaller is the cheapest solution, but is it the best one?• We are now going to measure the boiling points of the different solutions.• One solution to this problem is for two or more classes to collaborate on a project.• A dentist could put in a temporary filling, but that's not the perfect solution.• One possible solution might be to borrow the money.• Make a salt solution by dissolving 9 tablespoonfuls of cooking salt in a pint of water.• The colour change can be obscured by dirt in the solution.• It was a difficult equation, but it took her only five minutes to work out the solution.• The solution is then completed in the usual way.• The solution to both problems was already on the table three years ago.• The solution to this week's puzzle will be published in next week's magazine.• But the movie tells the wrong story, getting detoured into a murder investigation whose solution is far too obvious.solution to/for• Its credibility has been severely damaged and its attempts to find a solution to the problem have resulted in abject failure.• One day Russell presents Baldwin with a solution to both of their dilemmas.• A solution to this dilemma is not on the horizon since it is in reality a matter of individual sensitivity.• Most find the easiest solution to the problem is to avoid it wherever possible.• Instinctively, it seemed that there must be an easy solution to a prob-lem made of mud.• A single system for all seemed an obvious solution to such problems.• More than half the builders offered other solutions to the fee problem.• Mr Holt is keen to find a practical solution to better protect the environment.• City council members are still seeking solutions to the problem of unemployment.solution to• The solution to last week's puzzle is on page 12.Origin solution (1300-1400) Old French Latin solutio, from solvere; → SOLVE 