A solvent (from the Latin solvō, "loosen, untie, solve") is a substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a solution. A solvent is usually a liquid but can also be a solid, a gas, or a supercritical fluid .

: a usually liquid substance capable of dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances. : something that provides a solution. : something that eliminates or attenuates something especially unwanted. Adjective He couldn't stay solvent after losing his business. Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage.

Jun 2, 2020 · The solvent is the substance that dissolves the solute and the component of a chemical solution present in the greatest amount. While most common solvent are liquids, a solvent can be a solid or gas. The word “solvent” comes from the Latin word “ solvō,” which means “to loosen or solve.”

Mar 5, 2025 · solvent, substance, ordinarily a liquid, in which other materials dissolve to form a solution. Polar solvents (e.g., water) favour formation of ion s; nonpolar ones (e.g., hydrocarbon s) do not. Solvents may be predominantly acidic, predominantly basic, amphoteric (both), or …

Apr 28, 2017 · A solvent is a molecule that has the ability to dissolve other molecules, known as solutes. A solvent can be solid, liquid or gas. The molecules of the solvent work to put the solute molecules apart.

Oct 7, 2019 · A solvent is the component of a solution that is present in the greatest amount. It is the substance in which the solute is dissolved. Usually, a solvent is a liquid.

Feb 14, 2023 · What is a Solvent? A solvent is a substance that can dissolve an insoluble solute and create a solution . Solvents are often liquids, although they can also be solids, gases, or supercritical fluids.

It can be a solvent in many chemical reactions as well. The solvent has many roles to play in a reaction. Foremost, it dissolves the reactants. In that state, the reactants are very mobile. Without the solvent, the reactants may be solids, or if liquids, they may be too thick for molecules to move around very quickly; they may be more like oils.

What is a Solvent? A solvent is, by definition, any substance that will take other things (aka ‘solutes’) into solution. For example, in a saltwater mixture, water functions as the solvent, and salt is the solute.

Mar 21, 2025 · The solute is the substance that is being dissolved, while the solvent is the dissolving medium. Solutions can be formed with many different types and forms of solutes and solvents. We know of many types of solutions.