insoluble

[ in-sol-yuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. incapable of being dissolved:

   insoluble salts.

2. incapable of being solved or explained:

   an insoluble problem.

insoluble

/ ɪnˈsɒljʊbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being dissolved; incapable of forming a solution, esp in water
2. incapable of being solved

insoluble

/ ĭn-sŏl′yə-bəl /

1. Not capable of being fully dissolved. Fats and oils are insoluble in water.

Derived Forms

• inˈsolubly, adverb
• inˌsoluˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• in·solu·bili·ty in·solu·ble·ness noun
• in·solu·bly adverb
• semi-in·solu·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of insoluble¹

1350–1400; < Latin insolūbilis; replacing Middle English insolible < Middle French insoluble < L. See in- ³, soluble

Example Sentences

To date, approaches to treatments for Alzheimer's disease have not addressed the contribution of protein insolubility as a general phenomenon, instead focusing on one or two insoluble proteins.

From Science Daily

It’s a detective drama with no resolution, a morality tale with an insoluble ambiguity at its heart.

From New York Times

In one, antibodies attack a cell-surface protein on neurons called IgLON5, causing abnormal sleep patterns and a buildup of tau, the protein that forms insoluble tangles in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

From Science Magazine

"Cellulose is difficult to digest because it is insoluble. Fiber in the gut is like a tree-trunk in a swimming pool, it gets wet, but it does not dissolve."

From Science Daily

“It’s just too hard, too complicated, too insoluble.”

From Seattle Times