/ ˈsɒlɪd; NAmE ˈsɑːl-/ adjective , noun
■ adjective
NOT LIQUID / GAS
1.
hard or firm; not in the form of a liquid or gas :
The planet Jupiter may have no solid surface at all.
The boat bumped against a solid object.
She had refused all solid food.
It was so cold that the stream had frozen solid .
The boiler uses solid fuel .
WITHOUT HOLES OR SPACES
2.
having no holes or spaces inside; not hollow :
They were drilling through solid rock.
The stores are packed solid (= very full and crowded) at this time of year.
STRONG
3.
strong and made well :
These chains seem fairly solid.
RELIABLE
4.
that you can rely on; having a strong basis :
As yet, they have no solid evidence.
This provided a solid foundation for their marriage.
The Irish team were solid as a rock in defence.
GOOD BUT NOT SPECIAL
5.
definitely good and steady but perhaps not excellent or special :
2004 was a year of solid achievement.
He's a solid player.
MATERIAL
6.
[ only before noun ] made completely of the material mentioned (that is, the material is not only on the surface) :
a solid gold bracelet
PERIOD OF TIME
7.
( informal ) without a pause; continuous :
The essay represents a solid week's work.
It rained for two hours solid this afternoon.
COLOUR
8.
of the colour mentioned and no other colour :
One cat is black and white, the other solid black.
SHAPE
9.
( geometry ) a shape that is solid has length, width and height and is not flat :
A cube is a solid figure.
IN AGREEMENT
10.
in complete agreement; agreed on by everyone :
The strike was solid, supported by all the members.
—see also rock solid
■ noun
NOT LIQUID / GAS
1.
a substance or an object that is solid, not a liquid or a gas :
liquids and solids
The baby is not yet on solids (= eating solid food) .
SHAPE
2.
( geometry ) a shape which has length, width and height, such as a cube
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin solidus ; related to salvus safe and sollus entire.