How is a solution termed if it is at equilibrium with the solute's amount allowing for no further saturation?

A solution is termed "saturated" when it holds the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved at a given temperature and pressure, resulting in a state of equilibrium. In a saturated solution, any additional solute added will not dissolve but remain as a solid, indicating that the solution has reached its capacity for solute. This balance point means the rate at which the solute dissolves is equal to the rate at which it precipitates out of solution.

In contrast, an "unsaturated" solution still has the ability to dissolve more solute before reaching the saturation point. A "supersaturated" solution, on the other hand, contains more dissolved solute than it would under normal circumstances, often created by increasing temperature and then carefully cooling the solution. Finally, a "dilute" solution contains a relatively low concentration of solute compared to solvent, which does not imply that it is at saturation. Thus, the term "saturated" accurately describes a solution at equilibrium with the maximum concentration of solute.