Cool MateDissolve vs Melt
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Dissolve
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Melt
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most common: Melt
| Dissolve | Melt | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈzɒlv/","/dɪˈzɒlvz/","/dɪˈzɒlvd/","/dɪˈzɒlvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈzɑːlv/","/dɪˈzɑːlvz/","/dɪˈzɑːlvd/","/dɪˈzɑːlvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/melt/","/melts/","/ˈmeltɪd/","/ˈmeltɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/melt/","/melts/","/ˈmeltɪd/","/ˈmeltɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To mix something into a liquid until it becomes part of it. | To change from solid to liquid, usually with heat. |
| Example | The sugar will dissolve quickly in hot water. | The ice will melt when the temperature rises above freezing. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | completely, gradually, slowly, in, completely, gradually, slowly, in, formally, officially, effectively | melt chocolate, melt ice, melt away, melt into |
| Antonyms | solidify, freeze, coagulate | freeze, solidify, harden |
| Common mistakes | Using 'dissolve' with an incorrect preposition, like 'at' instead of 'in'., Confusing 'dissolve' with 'solve', which means to find an answer., 'Dissolving' is not used in the passive voice as often as learners might think. | Using 'melt' for living things (e.g., 'melt a person'), Confusing 'melt' with 'dissolve', Incorrectly using 'melted' as an adjective for solids |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in cooking or chemistry contexts. More formal in scientific discussions, less so in everyday conversation. Avoid using in metaphorical contexts unless clear. | Use 'melt' when referring to materials like chocolate or ice. It's not used with living things and is more common in cooking contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Dissolve vs Melt
What's the difference between Dissolve and Melt?
Dissolve: To mix something into a liquid until it becomes part of it. Melt: To change from solid to liquid, usually with heat.
Which is more common: Dissolve and Melt?
Melt is the most common in everyday English.
Are Dissolve and Melt the same CEFR level?
Dissolve: C1, Melt: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Dissolve and Melt interchangeably?
Not always. Dissolve and Melt are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.