Solidified: meaning, definitions and examples

🧊
Add to dictionary

solidified

 

[səˈlɪdɪfaɪd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

to become solid

To solidify means to become solid, firm, or hard. It can refer to a physical substance like a liquid turning into a solid state, or a concept or idea becoming more concrete and fixed.

Synonyms

firm up, harden, set, strengthen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
solidified

Used when something becomes solid or more definite. Often used in scientific or formal contexts.

  • The lava solidified as it cooled down
  • The plan solidified after the meeting
harden

Used when something becomes hard or more solid, can also refer to toughening emotionally or mentally. Sometimes has a negative connotation.

  • The clay will harden in a few hours
  • His experiences have hardened him
set

Can refer to something becoming fixed or firm, often used with food, concrete, or plans. Used in various contexts.

  • Let the jelly set in the fridge
  • We have set the date for the wedding
firm up

Informally used when making decisions, plans, or agreements more definite. Used in everyday conversations.

  • We need to firm up the schedule for the trip
  • They are trying to firm up their agreement
strengthen

Used when making something stronger or more powerful, can be used physically, emotionally, or in terms of relationships/builders.

  • Exercise can help strengthen your muscles
  • They need to strengthen their partnership

Examples of usage

  • The molten lava quickly solidified into a hard rock.
  • After months of discussions, their plan finally solidified into a clear strategy.
  • Her determination to succeed solidified as she faced more challenges.
  • The ice cream started to solidify in the freezer.
  • The agreement solidified their partnership.
Context #2 | Verb

to make solid

To solidify can also mean to make something solid, firm, or hard. This can involve cooling a liquid to turn it into a solid, or strengthening a relationship or idea.

Synonyms

firm up, harden, set, strengthen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
solidified

Used to describe something that has changed from a liquid or soft state to a hard one, often in scientific or industrial contexts.

  • The lava solidified into rock as it cooled
  • The wax solidified after a few minutes
harden

Often used to describe something becoming hard and rigid, which can have both literal and metaphorical meanings.

  • The cement will harden in an hour
  • The tragic events hardened his heart
strengthen

Used when something is made stronger or more solid, often in physical, emotional, or functional contexts.

  • We need to strengthen the bridge before more cars can use it
  • The exercises will help strengthen your muscles
firm up

Commonly used in casual conversation to discuss making something more definite or stable, like plans or agreements.

  • We need to firm up the details of our trip
  • Can you firm up your decision by tomorrow?
set

Used to indicate that something has become firm or fixed, often in contexts like cooking or construction.

  • The Jello will need a few hours to set
  • The plaster will set in about 30 minutes

Examples of usage

  • The chef used gelatin to solidify the dessert.
  • Regular exercise can help solidify your muscles.
  • Adding more evidence to the case helped to solidify their argument.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the Latin 'solidus', meaning firm or strong.
  • It was first used in English in the 16th century to describe the process of making something solid.
  • Its prefix 'solid-' emphasizes the state of physical firmness.

Science

  • In chemistry, solidification is a phase change from liquid to solid, often occurring when a substance cools down.
  • Water is an interesting example; it solidifies into ice at 0 degrees Celsius.
  • Many materials, including metals and plastics, solidify through cooling or setting processes.

Pop Culture

  • The term appears in various movies where characters or substances change forms, impacting the story.
  • In video games, solidified elements often represent obstacles or puzzles that players must navigate.
  • Fictional works use solidification as a metaphor for characters becoming stronger or more defined.

Psychology

  • The concept can also refer to making ideas or feelings stable and clear, rather than fluid and uncertain.
  • In therapeutic settings, solidifying personal goals helps individuals achieve clarity and direction.
  • Group dynamics often solidify relationships over time, creating stronger bonds between individuals.

Literature

  • Authors often use solidification to symbolize character development or moral strengthening in narratives.
  • Poetry may describe emotions solidifying into concrete forms, capturing complex feelings in tangible terms.
  • In classic literature, stories might explore themes of transformation, where characters solidify their identities.

Translations

Translations of the word "solidified" in other languages:

🇵🇹 solidificado

🇮🇳 ठोस किया हुआ

🇩🇪 verfestigt

🇮🇩 mengeras

🇺🇦 затверділий

🇵🇱 zakrzepły

🇯🇵 固められた

🇫🇷 solidifié

🇪🇸 solidificado

🇹🇷 katılaşmış

🇰🇷 굳어진

🇸🇦 متصلب

🇨🇿 ztuhlý

🇸🇰 stuhnutý

🇨🇳 固化的

🇸🇮 strjen

🇮🇸 hert

🇰🇿 қатайған

🇬🇪 გამყინვარებული

🇦🇿 bərkidilmiş

🇲🇽 solidificado

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,028, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.