Meanings
plural solutions in search of problems · plural solutions in search of a problem
- A proposal that does not solve any problem or provide any value; or one that is intended to fill a need which does not really exist.
Some teachers complained that the new online grading software was a solution in search of a problem.
1 more example
The early days of the PC were a classic case of a solution in search of a problem. It was pretty obvious that a computer-on-your-desk was an exciting prospect and had to be good for something. But what?
2012, Peter Lucas, Joe Ballay, Mickey McManus, Trillions: Thriving in the Emerging Information Ecology, page 200Synonyms: solution looking for a problem
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA proposal that does not solve any problem or provide any value; or one that is intended to fill a need which does not really exist.
Translations
German Lösung auf der Suche nach einem Problem
- Lösung auf der Suche nach einem Problemproposal to fix a problem which does not really exist
Polish rozwiązanie w poszukiwaniu problemu
- rozwiązanie w poszukiwaniu problemuproposal to fix a problem which does not really exist
Cite this entry
solution in search of a problem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/solution%20in%20search%20of%20a%20problem
“solution in search of a problem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/solution%20in%20search%20of%20a%20problem. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “solution in search of a problem,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/solution%20in%20search%20of%20a%20problem.
Source: solution in search of a problem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.