dissolve
/dɪˈzɒlv/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈzɑːlv/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈzälv -ˈzȯlv also -ˈzäv or -ˈzȯv/ (ame, mw)
dissolve — verb
- dissolvepresent simple I / you / we / they
- dissolveshe / she / it
- dissolvedpast simple
- dissolving-ing form
1. to make a solid substance mix completely into a liquid so that no visible pieces
to make a solid substance mix completely into a liquid so that no visible pieces remain — for example, stirring sugar into coffee or adding salt to hot water until it disappears.
Wei dissolved a spoonful of honey in his tea by stirring it gently.
dissolve + object + in + liquid (solid in liquid)
Jack dissolved the white tablet in warm water and waited for it to stop fizzing.
The chef dissolved a pinch of salt in the soup to bring out its natural flavour.
Arjun dissolved the powdered dye in water before dipping the white fabric in.
- solidify
turn liquid into solid form
- precipitate
technical antonym in chemistry
文法句型
dissolve + object + in + liquid
用法筆記
The object must be a solid substance; the liquid is usually introduced with the preposition 'in'. Frequently used in imperative mood in recipes ('Dissolve the yeast in warm milk').
常見錯誤
2. when a solid substance mixes into a liquid on its own or becomes liquid, breakin
when a solid substance mixes into a liquid on its own or becomes liquid, breaking apart until no visible pieces remain — for example, ice cubes melting in a warm drink or instant coffee granules disappearing in hot water.
The sugar cube dissolved slowly in Deepa's iced tea without anyone stirring it.
intransitive: [solid] + dissolve in + [liquid]
Snow on the pavement dissolved as soon as the morning sun hit the concrete.
Left on the counter, the butter dissolved into a yellow puddle within an hour.
The colourful lozenge dissolved slowly on Chidi's tongue, releasing a sweet minty taste.
- solidify
become solid from liquid state
- crystallise
form solid crystals from a solution
文法句型
dissolve + (in/into) + liquid
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'in' (the liquid) or 'into' (the resulting mixture). Unlike sense 1, no direct object is present — the solid dissolves by itself or due to an external force not stated as the subject.
常見錯誤
3. to officially end an organisation, agreement, contract, marriage, or law-making
to officially end an organisation, agreement, contract, marriage, or law-making body so that it no longer exists legally — for example, a government ending a parliament before an election or a couple ending their marriage through a legal process.
The prime minister asked the president to dissolve the parliament and call a snap general election.
dissolve + parliament (political context)
After eight years of conflict, the two companies agreed to dissolve their partnership and split the assets.
Fatima and Omar decided to dissolve their marriage quietly rather than go through a long court battle.
The board voted unanimously to dissolve the charity and donate its remaining funds to local schools.
文法句型
dissolve + [institution/agreement]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person or body with legal authority. Object must be an abstract institution (marriage, parliament, company, contract, committee), never a concrete object. Commonly used in formal written English, especially legal and political documents.
常見錯誤
4. when a group of people, a crowd, or an organised body gradually breaks apart and
when a group of people, a crowd, or an organised body gradually breaks apart and goes its separate ways — for example, protesters leaving a square after a rally or a committee ending its meeting.
The crowd of supporters dissolved slowly after the candidate finished her speech and walked off stage.
[crowd/group] + dissolve (disperse meaning)
When the final bell rang, the circle of students dissolved and everyone headed to their classrooms.
The opposition party dissolved into several smaller factions after losing the leadership vote.
The morning fog dissolved over the lake as the sun rose, revealing the mountains beyond.
文法句型
[group] + dissolve
用法筆記
Often followed by 'into' to specify what the group becomes after breaking apart. Can also describe physical phenomena (fog, clouds) that fade and scatter. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 is a deliberate legal act; sense 4 is spontaneous or gradual dispersal.
常見錯誤
5. to lose control of your emotions and show them openly — for example, suddenly cr
to lose control of your emotions and show them openly — for example, suddenly crying very hard or laughing uncontrollably after holding back for a while.
When Amara heard the news of her brother's safe return, she dissolved into tears of relief.
dissolve into + tears / laughter (emotion pattern)
The whole comedy club dissolved into laughter when the punchline finally landed.
After holding in her grief for weeks, Yael finally dissolved into sobs during the funeral service.
Hassan tried to stay calm during the farewell speech, but dissolved into tears as he hugged his daughter goodbye.
- break down
suggests losing self-control, often with crying
- collapse
implies a sudden physical or emotional giving way
- lose it
very informal; losing emotional composure
- compose oneself
regain emotional control
- hold back
suppress the display of emotion
文法句型
dissolve into + [emotion/tears/laughter]
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'into' plus a noun expressing the emotion (tears, laughter, sobs). Cannot take a direct object. The phrase 'dissolve into tears' is the most common fixed expression in this sense.
常見錯誤
6. when one filmed scene gradually fades out while another scene fades in on top of
when one filmed scene gradually fades out while another scene fades in on top of it, creating a smooth visual change between two moments in a movie or TV show.
The scene dissolves from the crowded Tokyo train station into a quiet countryside road ten years earlier.
[scene] dissolves from [A] into/to [B]
In the director's cut, the kiss dissolves slowly into a shot of falling cherry blossom petals.
The opening credits dissolved into the first scene, blending the titles with the rooftops of Paris.
The film's final image of a setting sun dissolves into black as the music fades out.
- fade
a fade goes to black/white rather than directly into another image
- cross-fade
audio equivalent; less common for video
文法句型
[scene] + dissolves + (into/to) + [next scene]
用法筆記
A technical term in film editing. Typically describes the transition itself (intransitive) rather than the editor's action. For the transitive use by the editor or director, see the noun sense 'film dissolve'. Frequently followed by 'from' (starting scene) and 'into/to' (ending scene).
常見錯誤
7. to break the physical or chemical connection that holds two things together, cau
to break the physical or chemical connection that holds two things together, causing them to separate — for example, using a solvent to loosen glue or a chemical process to break molecular bonds.
The technician used acetone to dissolve the adhesive that held the phone screen to the frame.
dissolve + [adhesive/bond] with chemical agent
Over time, the acid rain dissolved the mortar between the old bricks and left gaps in the wall.
The dentist applied a special gel to dissolve the temporary cement holding the crown in place.
Daisuke dissolved the glue joint with nail polish remover and pulled the broken pieces apart.
文法句型
dissolve + [bond/connection]
用法筆記
Less common than sense 1. Focuses on severing a bond (chemical or physical adhesion) rather than mixing a solid into a liquid. Often used in craft, dentistry, chemistry, and DIY contexts. The object is typically a bonding agent (glue, cement, solder) rather than the bonded objects themselves.
常見錯誤
8. to make a mystery, doubt, or confusing situation go away by finding an explanati
to make a mystery, doubt, or confusing situation go away by finding an explanation or answer that resolves it completely — for example, new evidence that removes all suspicion about a crime.
The security footage dissolved all doubts about who had entered the building that night.
dissolve + [doubt/mystery/suspicion] (make disappear)
Gabriela's careful research dissolved the mystery surrounding the old painting's origin.
A phone call from the hospital dissolved every fear Priyanka had felt during the night.
The mayor hoped the public apology would dissolve the growing suspicion among local residents.
- create doubt
introduce uncertainty
- deepen
make a mystery more complex
文法句型
dissolve + [mystery/doubt/question]
用法筆記
Literary or formal register. Subject is often an abstract thing (evidence, explanation, apology) rather than a person. Object must be an abstract concept (doubt, mystery, confusion, suspicion, fear) — never a concrete object. This sense overlaps with 'clear up' or 'resolve' but carries a stronger image of something vanishing completely.
常見錯誤
dissolve — noun
1. a film or video editing technique where one image fades out at the same time as
a film or video editing technique where one image fades out at the same time as another image fades in, creating a smooth visual bridge between two scenes — often used to show the passage of time or a change in location.
The editor used a slow dissolve from the rainy street to the warm kitchen to signal a memory.
adjective + dissolve (slow dissolve)
A quick dissolve from child to grown woman showed the audience how much time had passed.
dissolve from [A] to [B] (time passage)
The cinematographer preferred a dissolve over a hard cut because the mood felt softer.
Diego watched the old film's rough dissolves between scenes and smiled at the nostalgic charm of vintage cinema.
- cross-fade
specifically audio; sometimes used interchangeably in casual speech
- mix
older editing term for dissolve
文法句型
[adjective] dissolve
dissolve + between/to/from
用法筆記
Commonly modified by adjectives describing the speed or style: 'slow dissolve', 'quick dissolve', 'cross dissolve'. In modern digital editing, 'dissolve' is one of many standard transition effects (along with cut, fade, wipe).