rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydissolveMixing into liquid
verb / noun

dissolve

dih-ZAHLV/dɪˈzɑːlv/

To lose a distinct, coherent form by dispersing.

The sugar cube dissolves in water as you stir.

Three clear glasses show a sugar cube in water, stirring with shrinking granules, then clear water with no visible sugar.
Etymology
disLatinapart
+solveLatinto loosen, untie

The underlying image is loosening a substance apart so that it loses its separate form. The liquid sense applies this breaking-apart idea to a substance mixing into a fluid until it is no longer separately visible.

In context

PublicResourceOrg14:51
mix and dissolve 2 and 1/2 cups sugar in four cups of water it's easiest to dissolve the sugar in lukewarm water but then chill the syrup before using
Collecting and Using Alaska's Wild Berries

More examples

  • The morning fog dissolves as the sun rises.
  • The board votes to dissolve the committee.
  • We dissolved into laughter at his joke.
  • A slow dissolve blends one scene into the next.

Forms

dissolve · dissolves · dissolved · dissolving

dissolution noun — The process of dissolving or breaking apart.

Similar words

disperse
Emphasizes spreading out rather than losing a distinct form.
melt
Means becoming liquid through heat, not mixing into another liquid.
disappear
Means passing out of sight, without necessarily breaking apart.