soluble: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “soluble” mean?
Capable of being dissolved in a liquid (especially water).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Capable of being dissolved in a liquid (especially water).
Capable of being solved or explained; (in business) describing debt that can be paid.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slight preference for 'water-soluble' in US consumer labels.
Connotations
Neutral in both. In finance, 'soluble debt' is slightly more common in UK English.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; higher in scientific/technical registers.
Grammar
How to Use “soluble” in a Sentence
soluble in [liquid]soluble to [extent]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “soluble” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- This new paracetamol formulation is more soluble and acts faster.
- The contract contained a soluble clause allowing renegotiation.
American English
- The vitamin is fat-soluble, so take it with a meal.
- The puzzle was complex but ultimately soluble.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'Soluble debt' refers to obligations that can be settled with available assets.
Academic
Common in chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and environmental science.
Everyday
Most common on product labels (e.g., 'water-soluble paint').
Technical
Primary context. Precisely describes solubility in specific solvents under defined conditions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “soluble”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “soluble”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “soluble”
- Confusing 'soluble' (dissolves) with 'solvable' (can be solved).
- Using 'soluble' for people ('he is soluble').
- Misspelling as 'solouble'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Soluble' refers primarily to physical dissolution in a liquid. 'Solvable' refers to problems or equations that can be solved.
Yes, e.g., 'Oxygen is soluble in water,' which is vital for aquatic life.
It means the product will dissolve or wash away easily with water, often implying it's less polluting or easier to clean.
For physical dissolution, yes. For problems, both 'insoluble' and 'unsolvable' are antonyms, with 'insoluble' being more formal/literary.
Capable of being dissolved in a liquid (especially water).
Soluble is usually formal/technical in register.
Soluble: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɒl.jə.bəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɑːl.jə.bəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A problem soluble in theory”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SOLUBLE SUGAR dissolving in your tea. Both start with 'S' and involve liquid.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISSOLVING A SUBSTANCE IS SOLVING A PROBLEM (e.g., 'a soluble dilemma').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'soluble' used INCORRECTLY?