The difference between Compact and Solid

When used as nouns, compact means an agreement or contract, whereas solid means a substance in the fundamental state of matter that retains its size and shape without need of a container (as opposed to a liquid or gas).

When used as adjectives, compact means closely packed, i.e. packing much in a small space, whereas solid means that can be picked up or held, having a texture, and usually firm. unlike a liquid or a gas.


Compact is also verb with the meaning: to make more dense.

Solid is also adverb with the meaning: solidly.

check bellow for the other definitions of Compact and Solid

  1. Compact as a noun:

    An agreement or contract.

  1. Compact as an adjective:

    Closely packed, i.e. packing much in a small space.

  2. Compact as an adjective:

    Having all necessary features fitting neatly into a small space.

    Examples:

    "a compact laptop computer"

  3. Compact as an adjective (mathematics, uncomparable, of a set in an Euclidean space):

    Closed and bounded.

    Examples:

    "A set S of real numbers is called compact if every sequence in S has a subsequence that converges to an element again contained in S."

  4. Compact as an adjective (topology, uncomparable, of a set):

    Such that every open cover of the given set has a finite subcover.

  5. Compact as an adjective:

    Brief; close; pithy; not diffuse; not verbose.

    Examples:

    "a compact discourse"

  6. Compact as an adjective (obsolete):

    Joined or held together; leagued; confederated.

  7. Compact as an adjective (obsolete):

    Composed or made; with of.

  1. Compact as a noun:

    A small, slim folding case, often featuring a mirror, powder and a powderpuff; that fits into a woman's purse or handbag, or that slips into one's pocket.

  2. Compact as a noun:

    A broadsheet newspaper published in the size of a tabloid but keeping its non-sensational style.

  1. Compact as a verb (transitive):

    To make more dense; to compress.

  2. Compact as a verb:

    To unite or connect firmly, as in a system.

  1. Solid as an adjective (of an object or substance):

    That can be picked up or held, having a texture, and usually firm. Unlike a liquid or a gas.

    Examples:

    "Almost all metals are solid at room temperature."

  2. Solid as an adjective:

    Large in size, quantity, or value.

  3. Solid as an adjective:

    Lacking holes, hollows or admixtures of other materials.

    Examples:

    "solid [[gold]]'', ''solid [[chocolate]]"

  4. Solid as an adjective:

    Strong or unyielding.

    Examples:

    "a solid foundation"

  5. Solid as an adjective (slang):

    Excellent, of high quality, or reliable.

    Examples:

    "That's a solid plan."

    "Radiohead's on tour! Have you heard their latest album yet? It's quite solid."

    "I don't think Dave would have done that. He's a solid dude."

  6. Solid as an adjective:

    Hearty; filling.

    Examples:

    "a solid meal"

  7. Solid as an adjective:

    Worthy of credit, trust, or esteem; substantial; not frivolous or fallacious.

  8. Solid as an adjective:

    Sound; not weak.

    Examples:

    "a solid constitution of body"

  9. Solid as an adjective (typography):

    Written as one word, without spaces or hyphens.

    Examples:

    "American English writes many words as solid that British English hyphenates."

  10. Solid as an adjective (printing, dated):

    Not having the lines separated by leads; not open.

  11. Solid as an adjective (US, politics, slang):

    United; without division; unanimous.

    Examples:

    "The delegation is solid for a candidate."

  12. Solid as an adjective:

    Of a single color throughout.

    Examples:

    "John painted the walls solid white."

    "He wore a solid shirt with floral pants."

  13. Solid as an adjective (of drawn lines):

    Continuous; unbroken; not dotted or dashed.

    Examples:

    "The solid lines show roads, and the dotted lines footpaths."

  14. Solid as an adjective (dated):

    Having all the geometrical dimensions; cubic.

    Examples:

    "A solid foot contains 1,728 solid inches."

  1. Solid as a noun (chemistry):

    A substance in the fundamental state of matter that retains its size and shape without need of a container (as opposed to a liquid or gas).

  2. Solid as a noun (geometry):

    A three-dimensional figure (as opposed to a surface, an area, or a curve).

  3. Solid as a noun (informal):

    A favor.

    Examples:

    "Please do me a solid: lend me your car for one week."

    "I owe him; he did me a solid last year."

  4. Solid as a noun:

    An article of clothing which is of a single color throughout.

    Examples:

    "I prefer solids over paisleys."

  5. Solid as a noun (in the plural):

    Food which is not liquid-based.

    Examples:

    "The doctor said I can't eat any solids four hours before the operation."

  1. Solid as an adverb:

    Solidly.

  2. Solid as an adverb (not comparable, typography):

    Without spaces or hyphens.

    Examples:

    "Many long-established compounds are set solid."