Solvency Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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solvency

[หˆsษ’lvษ™nsi ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

financial stability

Solvency refers to the ability of an individual or organization to meet its long-term debts and financial obligations. This concept is crucial for assessing the financial health of companies, as it indicates whether they can continue operations without the risk of bankruptcy. A solvent entity has a positive net worth, meaning its assets exceed its liabilities. Tracking solvency helps investors, creditors, and stakeholders to make informed decisions about financial risks. In practical terms, a solvent business can generate enough revenue to cover its liabilities comfortably.

Synonyms

financial stability, fiscal strength, liquidity.

Examples of usage

  • The company is in a strong position of solvency after securing additional funding.
  • Monitoring solvency is essential for preventing financial crises.
  • Investors prefer to invest in firms with high solvency ratios.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Finance

  • Solvency is crucial for businesses as it measures their long-term viability and health, indicating they can meet obligations beyond immediate bills.
  • A solvency ratio is a key financial metric that helps investors assess a companyโ€™s ability to cover its long-term liabilities with its assets.

Economics

  • In economics, a lack of solvency can lead to bankruptcy, where a person or company cannot pay their debts and may need legal protection.
  • Governments also have solvency, which impacts national economies; if a government is solvent, it can maintain public services and fund projects.

Psychology

  • Financial solvency can significantly impact mental health, as stress from financial instability can lead to anxiety and other psychological issues.
  • Research shows that knowing one's financial situation can lead to better decision-making and improved wellbeing.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and books, characters facing financial crises often grapple with solvency, raising tension and illustrating the stakes of financial decisions.
  • Popular media often portrays wealthy characters with high solvency, contrasting them against those who face debt, highlighting class issues.

Origin of 'solvency'

Main points about word origin

  • The term originates from the Latin word 'solvere,' which means 'to loosen' or 'to solve,' relating to resolving financial obligations.
  • In the 18th century, it began to be used in the context of finance, linking the idea of solving problems to monetary capacity.

The term 'solvency' is derived from the Latin word 'solvens', which means 'loosen' or 'free'. This is related to the verb 'solvere', meaning 'to loosen, free, pay, or solve'. The transition into financial terminology started in the mid-19th century when economists began to use this term to describe an entity's ability to pay its long-term debts. Over time, solvency evolved to encompass broader considerations of financial health, including asset management and overall fiscal responsibility. As businesses and government financing grew in complexity, so did discussions around solvency, leading to more stringent regulations and definitions which we see in contemporary financial analysis.


Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,523, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.