solidify

/səˈlɪdɪfaɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /səˈlɪdɪfaɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /sə-ˈli-də-ˌfī/ (ame, mw)

solidify — verb

1. to become hard and firm after being in a liquid or soft state — for example, whe

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to become hard and firm after being in a liquid or soft state — for example, when melted butter cools on a countertop and returns to a solid state, it solidifies.

例句

The melted wax began to solidify as it cooled on the kitchen counter.

intransitive: substance solidifies on its own

Theo poured the hot caramel into a tray and let it solidify overnight.

同義詞
  • harden

    more general; can apply to non-liquids (e.g. bread hardens)

  • congeal

    suggests a semi-solid, sticky result; often used for blood, fat, or sauces

  • set

    common for glue, jelly, cement; implies reaching a final firm state

  • freeze

    specifically refers to liquid becoming solid through cold temperature

反義詞
  • melt

    to change from solid to liquid through heat

  • liquefy

    to become liquid, often through chemical or physical processes

  • dissolve

    to mix with a liquid and become part of it

文法句型

solidify (into + noun)

solidify + noun

用法筆記

Both transitive and intransitive. When used transitively, the subject is typically a cooling force, a chemical agent, or a natural process (e.g. cold, time, a chemical reaction). The object is usually a liquid, gas, or molten substance. For water turning to ice, 'freeze' is more natural than 'solidify'.

常見錯誤

❌The water in the freezer solidified into ice.
✅The water in the freezer froze into ice.
💡'solidify' describes substances becoming hard (wax, cement, jelly); use 'freeze' specifically for water becoming ice.

2. to give a plan, idea, relationship, or agreement a firmer, more permanent qualit

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to give a plan, idea, relationship, or agreement a firmer, more permanent quality so that it no longer feels temporary or uncertain — for example, winning an important contract can solidify a company's position in the market.

例句

The two countries signed a treaty to solidify their trade relationship.

transitive: solidify + abstract noun (relationship)

Arjun's success in the competition solidified his decision to become a professional musician.

solidify + decision (abstract noun)

同義詞
  • strengthen

    broader; can be physical or abstract; less specific about permanence

  • consolidate

    implies bringing separate parts together into a stronger whole

  • reinforce

    suggests adding extra support to something that already exists

  • entrench

    stronger and often negative; suggests something becomes fixed and hard to remove

反義詞
  • weaken

    to make less strong or less certain

  • undermine

    to gradually make something less secure or effective

  • erode

    to slowly destroy or reduce something over time

文法句型

solidify + abstract_noun

solidify into + noun

用法筆記

Commonly used with abstract nouns such as 'plan', 'idea', 'relationship', 'position', 'support', 'reputation', 'alliance', or 'partnership'. Frequently transitive in business, political, and personal-development contexts. The intransitive form ('their partnership solidified over time') describes a gradual process.

常見錯誤

❌The team solidified their victory with a late goal.
✅The team secured their victory with a late goal.
💡'solidify' works best for ongoing positions, relationships, or status; use 'secure' for a single achievement like a win.