solid
gb/sˈɑlɪd/ us/sˈɑlɪd/
A2
English
~ 2500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Firm and stable in shape
Hard and firm, not a liquid or gas.
Usage pattern:
[something] is solid
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'solid' with 'thick' when talking about liquids, but 'solid' means not liquid or gas at all.
Synonyms
firm (Similar firmness but can refer to less rigid materials.)
Antonyms
liquid (Opposite physical state; flows and changes shape easily.)
Collocations
solid ground
|solid object
|solid wall
|solid structure
|solid form
Themes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The lake was frozen solid after the snowstorm.
- Gold is a solid at room temperature.
- The sculpture was carved from a single block of solid marble.
- Make sure the ladder is on solid ground before climbing.
- This table feels very solid and well-built.
Learner examples
- Ice is solid water.
- Wood is solid, not liquid.
- The floor is solid under my feet.
- Metal is solid at room temperature.
- The rock is hard and solid.
adjective
B1
property
2
Reliable and dependable
Good and reliable; can be trusted or depended on.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is solid
Common mistake:
Some learners overuse 'solid' for physical hardness when they mean 'reliable'. Context helps choose the right meaning.
Synonyms
dependable (Emphasizes trustworthiness in fulfilling expectations.)
Antonyms
unreliable (Cannot be depended upon to perform or behave as expected.)
Collocations
solid reputation
|solid support
|solid performance
|solid advice
Themes
daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has built a solid reputation as a fair manager.
- The team gave a solid performance in the finals.
- He’s a solid friend who will always help you.
- Their company has a solid customer base.
- We have solid evidence to support our claim.
Learner examples
- He is a solid worker.
- This is a solid plan.
- She has a solid job.
- The team gave a solid game.
- They have solid proof.
Noun
A2
entity
3
Matter with fixed shape/volume
A thing that is hard and keeps its shape, not liquid or gas.
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse 'solid' as a noun with 'solid' as an adjective. Here it names the state of matter or object.
Synonyms
substance (More general; can be any state of matter.)
Antonyms
liquid (Flows freely and takes the shape of its container.)
Collocations
pure solid
|solid state
|solid form
Themes
science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Water becomes a solid when it freezes into ice.
- Iron is a solid at normal temperatures.
- Scientists study how solids change under heat.
- The mixture will turn into a solid after cooling.
Learner examples
- Ice is a solid.
- Stone is a solid.
- Metal is a solid.
- A chair is made from solids.
adjective
informal
B2
property
4
Very good quality
Very good or excellent.
Usage pattern:
[something] is solid
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes interpret informal 'solid' literally instead of as praise. Context often makes the meaning clear.
Synonyms
excellent (General term for very high quality; may sound more formal.)
Antonyms
poor (Low quality or standard.)
Collocations
solid work
|solid choice
|solid hit
Themes
informal speech
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- That was a solid movie—I'd watch it again.
- She gave a solid presentation to the class.
- His latest album is pretty solid from start to finish.
- The restaurant offers solid value for money.
Learner examples
- This food is solid.
- Her song was solid.
- The game was solid.
- He did a solid job.
Grammar
Dictionary form
solid
IPA
GB/sˈɑlɪd/
US/sˈɑlɪd/
Syllables & stress
sol - id (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sol)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: solid
Noun
- Base: solid
- Plural: solids
Word family
Forms
solids
noun
Core family
solidly
adverb
Related words
solidify
verb
solidity
noun C1
Advanced or less common
solidification
noun
Expressions
do someone a solid
1/dˈu sˈʌmwˌʌn ə sˈɑlɪd/
idiom
informal
Do someone a helpful favor
To do something kind or helpful for someone.
Examples
- Can you do me a solid and watch my bag?
- He really did me a solid by covering my shift.
frozen solid
1/fɹˈoʊzən sˈɑlɪd/
fixed phrase
Completely frozen hard
Frozen so much that it is completely hard.
Examples
- The pond was frozen solid by morning.
- I left my drink outside and now it's frozen solid.
rock solid
1/ɹˈɑk sˈɑlɪd/
idiom
Extremely strong or dependable
Very strong, safe, or sure; cannot be easily broken or changed.
Examples
- They have a rock-solid marriage.
- Her argument was rock solid and convincing.
stand on solid ground
1/stˈænd ˈɔn sˈɑlɪd ɡɹˈaʊnd/
idiom
Be in a safe/certain position
To be in a safe or sure situation where you are confident about what you are doing or saying.
Examples
- With all this evidence, we stand on solid ground in court.
- You should make sure you stand on solid ground before making such claims.