resolve

/ɹɪˈzɒlv/

//ɹɪˈzɒlv// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"resolve" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“resolve” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #5,449 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#5,449
frequency rank, English
7
letters
10
tracked misspellings
8
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To find a solution to (a problem).

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

resolve vs revolve
86% similar
resolve vs resolved
88% similar
resolve vs revolver
75% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for resolve
PropertyValue
Headwordresolve
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ɹɪˈzɒlv/
Letters7
Frequency rank#5,449
Misspellings tracked10
Confusable pairs8
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “resolve” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). resolve lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for resolve is 7 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ɹɪˈzɒlv/. Corpus data places it at rank #5,449 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 17 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 10 likely wrong-spelling variants for resolve, with forms such as "ersolve", "reoslve", and "reslove". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 8 confusable-pair relationships, "revolve", "resolved", "revolver", and more, since the words sound or look close enough that writers reach for the wrong one mid-sentence.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English resolven, from Old French resolver, a learned borrowing of Latin resolvō (“loosen, thaw, melt, resolve”), equivalent to re- + solve. Piecewise doublet of re-solve. The correct English form is resolve, spelled R-E-S-O-L-V-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To find a solution to (a problem).
  2. 2
    To reduce to simple or intelligible notions; to make clear or certain; to unravel; to explain.
  3. 3
    To make a firm decision to do something. To become determined to reach a certain goal or take a certain action.
  4. 4
    To determine or decide in purpose; to make ready in mind; to fix; to settle.
  5. 5
    To come to an agreement or make peace; patch up relationship, settle differences, bury the hatchet.
  6. 6
    To break down into constituent parts; to decompose; to disintegrate; to return to a simpler constitution or a primeval state.
  7. 7
    To cause to perceive or understand; to acquaint; to inform; to convince; to assure; to make certain.
  8. 8
    To cause a chord to go from dissonance to consonance.
  9. 9
    To render visible or distinguishable the parts of something.
  10. 10
    To find the IP address of a hostname, or the entity referred to by a symbol in source code; to look up.
  11. 11
    To melt; to dissolve; to liquefy or soften (a solid).
  12. 12
    To melt; to dissolve; to become liquid.
  13. 13
    To liquefy (a gas or vapour).
  14. 14
    To disperse or scatter; to discuss, as an inflammation or a tumour.
  15. 15
    To relax; to lie at ease.
  16. 16
    To separate racemic compounds into their enantiomers.
  17. 17
    To solve (an equation, etc.).

Etymology

From Middle English resolven, from Old French resolver, a learned borrowing of Latin resolvō (“loosen, thaw, melt, resolve”), equivalent to re- + solve. Piecewise doublet of re-solve.

This word in other languages

resolver(Español)résoudre(Français)lösen(Deutsch)resolver(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ersolve,reoslve,reslove,resolev,resollve,resolvve,resovle,ressolve,rresolve,rseolve

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of resolve - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

ersolve2reoslve2reslove2resolev2resollve1resolvve1resovle2ressolve1
Edit distance from "resolve"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "resolve"?
"resolve" is spelled R-E-S-O-L-V-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ɹɪˈzɒlv/.
What does "resolve" mean?
As a verb, "resolve" means: To find a solution to (a problem).
What words are commonly confused with "resolve"?
"resolve" is commonly confused with "revolve", "resolved", "revolver". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "resolve"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "resolve" is /ɹɪˈzɒlv/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "resolve"?
From Middle English resolven, from Old French resolver, a learned borrowing of Latin resolvō (“loosen, thaw, melt, resolve”), equivalent to re- + solve. Piecewise doublet of re-solve. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “resolve”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is R-E-S-O-L-V-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ɹɪˈzɒlv/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “revolve” - see the side-by-side comparison. resolve vs revolve
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list