sol

1 of 6

noun (1)

ˈsōl 

variants or less commonly so

ˈsō 

: the fifth note of the major scale in solfège

sol

2 of 6

noun (2)

ˈsäl 

ˈsȯl

: an old French coin equal to 12 deniers

also : a corresponding unit of value

sol

3 of 6

noun (3)

ˈsäl 

ˈsȯl

plural soles ˈsō-(ˌ)lās 

: the basic monetary unit of Peru from 1930 to 1985 and since 1991 see Money Table

sol

4 of 6

noun (4)

ˈsäl 

ˈsȯl

: a fluid colloidal system

especially : one in which the medium is a liquid

sol

5 of 6

abbreviation

soluble

Sol

6 of 6

noun (5)

ˈsäl 

1

: the Roman god of the sun compare helios

2

: sun

Examples of sol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The shoes featured the brand’s signature red soles and added height to the actress’s look. —Ty Gaskins, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025

Ugg Ashton Addie waterproof boots, $180 What makes these picks stand out are traditional and practical style details such as grippy soles, shearling linings, toggle closures, shaggy faux fur coverings, and rope details in pull-on or laced boot versions that are ready for the elements. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2025

High-contrast color combos bring early-aughts vibes, and chunky platform soles give a bit of extra height. —Miles Walls, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025

Piana took umbrage over Viola Milano’s Capri and City loafers, pointing out among other similarities the shoes’ nearly identical white rubber soles. —Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Medieval Latin sol; from the syllable sung to this note in a medieval hymn to St. John the Baptist

Noun (2)

Middle French — more at sou

Noun (3)

American Spanish, from Spanish, sun, from Latin

Noun (4)

-sol (as in hydrosol), from solution

Noun (5)

Middle English, from Latin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1583, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1883, in the meaning defined above

Noun (4)

1899, in the meaning defined above

Noun (5)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sol

• sol-fa
• sol-fa syllables
• tonic sol-fa

Kids Definition

sol

1 of 3 noun

ˈsōl 

: the fifth note of the musical scale

sol

2 of 3 noun

ˈsäl,

ˈsȯl

plural soles

ˈsō-ˌlās

1

: the basic unit of money of Peru

2

: a coin representing one sol

sol

3 of 3 noun

ˈsäl,

ˈsȯl

: a colloid in which tiny solid particles are scattered throughout a liquid

Etymology

Noun

from Latin sol "the fifth note of the scale"

Noun

American Spanish, from Spanish, "sun," from Latin

Noun

derived from solution

Medical Definition

sol

noun

ˈsäl  ˈsȯl 

: a fluid colloidal system

especially : one in which the dispersion medium is a liquid