solid

Firm enough to keep its shape, rather than flowing like water or spreading like air.

• The butter is still solid.
• Water becomes solid when it freezes.
• The baby can now eat solid food.

Similar words: firm, hard

Opposites: liquid, gaseous

Common phrases: solid ice, solid food, solid at room temperature, solid matter

Made entirely of one material, with no empty space inside.

• The ring is solid gold.
• We bought a solid oak table.
• This handle is made of solid silver.

Common phrases: solid gold, solid wood, solid silver, solid oak

Strong, well made, or dependable, so it is unlikely to break or fail.

• This chair feels solid.
• They built a solid business together.
• We need solid evidence before making a decision.

Similar words: strong, reliable, sturdy, sound

Opposites: weak, flimsy

Common phrases: solid furniture, solid foundation, solid evidence, solid support

Having no empty spaces inside or no gaps between its parts.

• The wall is solid concrete.
• A solid line of cars blocked the road.
• The crowd formed a solid mass near the stage.

Similar words: dense, compact

Opposites: hollow

Common phrases: solid block, solid wall, solid line, solid mass

With the letters joined together, without a space or a hyphen between word parts.

• This compound is written solid.
• The editor asked us to set the word solid.
• Some compounds once used hyphens but are now printed solid.

Similar words: as one word

Common phrases: write solid, set solid, print solid

A substance that keeps its shape instead of flowing like water or spreading like air.

• Ice is a solid.
• Some solids melt when heated.
• This experiment compares solids, liquids, and gases.

Common phrases: a solid, solid and liquid, solid to liquid

Something helpful that you do for another person.

• Can you do me a solid?
• She did us a solid by watching the kids.
• Thanks for doing me a solid yesterday.

How to use it: do someone a solid (Could you do me a solid and drive me home?)

Similar words: favor

Common phrases: do someone a solid, a real solid

A piece of clothing that has only one colour, without a printed design.

• Choose a solid for the interview.
• She prefers solids to patterned shirts.
• A dark solid works well with this striped jacket.

Common phrases: wear a solid, solid or print, a dark solid