solidify
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to become solid.
-
to form into crystals; become crystallized.
verb
-
to make or become solid or hard
-
to make or become strong, united, determined, etc
Other Word Forms
- nonsolidified adjective
- nonsolidifying adjective
- oversolidify verb (used with object)
- resolidify verb
- solidifiability noun
- solidifiable adjective
- solidifiableness noun
- solidification noun
- solidifier noun
- unsolidified adjective
Etymology
Origin of solidify
From the French word solidifier, dating back to 1790–1800. See solid, -ify
Explanation
To solidify is to make something solid, like water becoming ice, or a plan becoming more concrete. If you’re meeting a friend, you should solidify the plan before you go and decide where and what time to meet. To solidify is to become a solid, like lemonade solidifying into a popsicle, or dissolved sugar solidifying into yummy rock candy. Also, this word can apply to non-physical things. If a couple gets engaged, they're solidifying their relationship. Getting a promotion could solidify your career. Anything becoming firmer or more real is a type of solidifying. In any sense, whatever gets solidified becomes stronger.
Vocabulary lists containing solidify
Red Flags and Butterflies
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"Understanding Axons, Dendrites and Synapse" and "What’s Going On in Your Brain?"
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The Black Girl Survives in This One
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kelonia is even trying to solidify the drug’s use for autoimmune diseases.
From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026
The Toronto Raptors triumphed 128-114 against the Miami Heat while the Houston Rockets won 113-102 against Philadelphia 76ers to solidify their chances of a play-off place.
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
The plan’s success could solidify the image of U.S. as a leader in space, and give it ample mining access to a plethora of minerals and elements on the moon.
From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026
Their findings, presented at a major visualization science conference, solidify Schrödinger's framework by showing that these core color qualities arise from the internal structure of the color system itself.
From Science Daily • Feb. 23, 2026
Inch by inch, Clare saw his fate solidify.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.