solid
♦ sol|id /s'ɒlɪd/ (solids)
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A solid substance or object stays the same shape whether it is in a container or not.
...the potential of greatly reducing our solid waste problem...
He did not eat solid food for several weeks.
≠ liquid
2 [N-COUNT]
A solid is a substance that stays the same shape whether it is in a container or not.
Solids turn to liquids at certain temperatures.
...the decomposition of solids.
≠ liquid
3 [ADJ]
A substance that is solid is very hard or firm.
The snow had melted, but the lake was still frozen solid...
The concrete will stay as solid as a rock.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A solid object or mass does not have a space inside it, or holes or gaps in it.
...a tunnel carved through 50ft of solid rock.
...a solid mass of colour...
The car park was absolutely packed solid with people.
5 [ADJ] ADJ n
If an object is made of solid gold or solid wood, for example, it is made of gold or wood all the way through, rather than just on the outside.
...solid wood doors.
...solid pine furniture.
6 [ADJ]
A structure that is solid is strong and is not likely to collapse or fall over.
Banks are built to look solid to reassure their customers...
The car feels very solid.
● solidly [ADV] ADV with v
Their house, which was solidly built, resisted the main shock.
● solidity [N-UNCOUNT]
...the solidity of walls and floors.
7 [ADJ]
If you describe someone as solid, you mean that they are very reliable and respectable.
Mr Zuma had a solid reputation as a grass roots organiser.
● solidly [ADV]
Graham is so solidly consistent.
● solidity [N-UNCOUNT]
He had the proverbial solidity of the English.
8 [ADJ]
Solid evidence or information is reliable because it is based on facts.
We don't have good solid information on where the people are...
He has a solid alibi.
9 [ADJ]
You use solid to describe something such as advice or a piece of work which is useful and reliable.
The CIU provides churches with solid advice on a wide range of subjects...
All I am looking for is a good solid performance...
● solidly [ADV] ADV with v
She's played solidly throughout the spring.
10 [ADJ]
You use solid to describe something such as the basis for a policy or support for an organization when it is strong, because it has been developed carefully and slowly.
...Washington's attempt to build a solid international coalition.
= strong
● solidly [ADV] ADV adj/prep, ADV with v
The Los Alamos district is solidly Republican...
So far, majority public opinion is solidly behind the government.
● solidity [N-UNCOUNT]
...doubts over the solidity of European backing for the American approach.
11 [ADJ] ADJ n, -ed ADJ
If you do something for a solid period of time, you do it without any pause or interruption throughout that time.
We had worked together for two solid years.
● solidly [ADV] ADV with v
People who had worked solidly since Christmas enjoyed the chance of a Friday off.
12
see also rock-solidsol|id fuel (solid fuels)
[N-MASS]
Solid fuel is fuel such as coal or wood, that is solid rather than liquid or gas. (BRIT)
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A solid substance or object stays the same shape whether it is in a container or not.
...the potential of greatly reducing our solid waste problem...
He did not eat solid food for several weeks.
≠ liquid
2 [N-COUNT]
A solid is a substance that stays the same shape whether it is in a container or not.
Solids turn to liquids at certain temperatures.
...the decomposition of solids.
≠ liquid
3 [ADJ]
A substance that is solid is very hard or firm.
The snow had melted, but the lake was still frozen solid...
The concrete will stay as solid as a rock.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A solid object or mass does not have a space inside it, or holes or gaps in it.
...a tunnel carved through 50ft of solid rock.
...a solid mass of colour...
The car park was absolutely packed solid with people.
5 [ADJ] ADJ n
If an object is made of solid gold or solid wood, for example, it is made of gold or wood all the way through, rather than just on the outside.
...solid wood doors.
...solid pine furniture.
6 [ADJ]
A structure that is solid is strong and is not likely to collapse or fall over.
Banks are built to look solid to reassure their customers...
The car feels very solid.
● solidly [ADV] ADV with v
Their house, which was solidly built, resisted the main shock.
● solidity [N-UNCOUNT]
...the solidity of walls and floors.
7 [ADJ]
If you describe someone as solid, you mean that they are very reliable and respectable.
Mr Zuma had a solid reputation as a grass roots organiser.
● solidly [ADV]
Graham is so solidly consistent.
● solidity [N-UNCOUNT]
He had the proverbial solidity of the English.
8 [ADJ]
Solid evidence or information is reliable because it is based on facts.
We don't have good solid information on where the people are...
He has a solid alibi.
9 [ADJ]
You use solid to describe something such as advice or a piece of work which is useful and reliable.
The CIU provides churches with solid advice on a wide range of subjects...
All I am looking for is a good solid performance...
● solidly [ADV] ADV with v
She's played solidly throughout the spring.
10 [ADJ]
You use solid to describe something such as the basis for a policy or support for an organization when it is strong, because it has been developed carefully and slowly.
...Washington's attempt to build a solid international coalition.
= strong
● solidly [ADV] ADV adj/prep, ADV with v
The Los Alamos district is solidly Republican...
So far, majority public opinion is solidly behind the government.
● solidity [N-UNCOUNT]
...doubts over the solidity of European backing for the American approach.
11 [ADJ] ADJ n, -ed ADJ
If you do something for a solid period of time, you do it without any pause or interruption throughout that time.
We had worked together for two solid years.
● solidly [ADV] ADV with v
People who had worked solidly since Christmas enjoyed the chance of a Friday off.
12
see also rock-solidsol|id fuel (solid fuels)
[N-MASS]
Solid fuel is fuel such as coal or wood, that is solid rather than liquid or gas. (BRIT)