What does resolve mean?
Resolve is a versatile verb and noun meaning to settle a difficulty, determine a course of action, or express firm purpose. As a verb, it is used for problems, disputes, questions, and formal decisions: a committee may resolve an issue, while a person may resolve to continue despite obstacles. In scientific and mathematical contexts, it can describe a substance or quantity separating into parts. As a noun, resolve means determination or strength of purpose and is often used in formal or literary prose. The word is related in origin to solve, solution, and dissolve, all of which share the Latin root solvere, “to loosen” or “untie.” Its enduring sense is therefore one of untangling complexity: resolving something means bringing an unclear or obstructed situation to a clear conclusion.
To settle a problem, dispute, or question by finding an answer or course of action.
"The two departments resolved their differences through negotiation."
Common in formal, professional, and everyday contexts.
To decide firmly to do something or to reach a firm conclusion.
"The board resolved to appoint a new director."
Often used in formal or institutional contexts.
To cause something to separate into constituent parts, or to transform into a different form.
"The medicine resolves into a clear solution when mixed with water."
This sense is especially used in scientific, mathematical, and analytical contexts.
Firm determination or strength of purpose.
"Despite the setbacks, she continued with remarkable resolve."
More formal and literary than everyday alternatives such as determination.
The plural form is used when referring to several decisions, determinations, or formal resolutions.
"The council passed several resolutions concerning public safety."
The word resolve originally meant to untie or loosen a knot, so its modern sense of untangling a problem preserves the idea of making something clear and manageable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does resolve come from?
Resolve comes from Latin resolvere, formed from re- and solvere, meaning “to loosen” or “untie.” The original sense was literal, referring to untying or dispersing something. English later extended the word to settling questions, disputes, and difficulties, while the same root appears in solve, solution, solvent, and dissolve. The noun sense, meaning firmness of purpose, developed from the idea of determination or decisiveness.
Related word forms
How resolve is actually used
The word is formal but widely used in neutral contexts. In its noun sense, resolve has a somewhat elevated or literary tone and conveys determination, while the verb is common in professional, legal, and everyday speech.
Easily confused with resolve
Resolve is generally a verb meaning to settle or determine something, while resolute is an adjective meaning firmly determined.