Skip to definition.
Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps


Verb: solve  sólv
  1. Find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
    "did you solve the problem?";
    - work out, figure out, puzzle out, lick [N. Amer, informal], work, suss [Brit, informal], suss out [Brit, informal], unriddle
     
  2. Find a solution by calculation, algebra or detailed analysis
    "solve for x"; "solve an equation";
    - resolve
     
  3. Settle, as of a debt
    "solve an old debt";
    - clear

Derived forms: solved, solving, solves

Type of: calculate, cipher, compute, cypher, determine, figure [N. Amer], reckon, settle, square off, square up, understand, work out

Encyclopedia: Solve