solid
/ˈsɒl.ɪd/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
- 1.
Firm, hard, and not easily bent, broken, or changed. It can also mean made of a single material with no empty spaces.
- The table is made of solid wood.
- This wall feels solid and strong.
- 2.
Good, reliable, and dependable. People often use it for plans, work, or performance.
- She gave a solid answer in the interview.
- We made solid progress this week.
noun
A solid substance or material, as opposed to a liquid or gas.
- Water can become a solid when it freezes.
- The scientist studied the solid carefully.
Adinary Nuance
Solid is often stronger and more physical than words like strong or hard. For objects, it suggests no holes, softness, or weakness. For plans or work, it means dependable and well-made, not flashy or perfect. Writers choose solid when they want to sound practical and trustworthy.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chắc chắn
- Spanish
- sólido
- Chinese
- 坚实的
- Japanese
- 堅実な
- Korean
- 견고한
Etymology
Solid comes from Latin solidus, meaning 'whole, firm, or dense'. It entered English through Old French in the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
solid woodsolid groundsolid evidencesolid performance
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is solid a positive word?
- Yes, often. It usually suggests strength, reliability, or good quality.
- What is the difference between solid and strong?
- Solid often means firm or dependable. Strong often means powerful or able to resist force.
- Can I use solid in business English?
- Yes. It is common in business writing for plans, results, and performance.
- Is solid more formal than good?
- Yes, slightly. It sounds more careful and professional than simple everyday praise.