- 1[intransitive] dissolve (in something) (of a solid) to mix with a liquid and become part of it Salt dissolves in water. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves.
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- 2[transitive] dissolve something (in something) to make a solid become part of a liquid Dissolve the tablet in water.
- 3[transitive] dissolve something to officially end a marriage, business agreement, or parliament Their marriage was dissolved in 1999.
- 4[transitive, intransitive] dissolve (something) to officially close a company or other organization; to be officially closed My brothers have decided to dissolve their business.
- 5[intransitive, transitive] to disappear; to make something disappear When the ambulance left, the crowd dissolved. dissolve something His calm response dissolved her anger.
- 6[intransitive] dissolve into laughter, tears, etc. to suddenly start laughing, crying, etc. When the teacher looked up, the children dissolved into giggles. Every time she heard his name, she dissolved into tears.
- 7[transitive, intransitive] to remove or destroy something, especially by a chemical process; to be destroyed in this way dissolve something (away) a new detergent that dissolves stains dissolve (away) All the original calcium had dissolved away.
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NAmE//dɪˈzɑlv//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they dissolve he / she / it dissolves
past simple dissolved
-ing form dissolving
Check pronunciation: dissolve