Solvent
Water is able to dissolve more substances than any other liquid due to its polar nature. That's why water is often referred to as the “universal solvent." Polarity refers to how evenly distributed the positive and negative charges are within a molecule. In non-polar molecules like oil, the charges are evenly spread out. The molecule has no areas that are more positive or negative. In polar molecules like water, the charges are unevenly distributed. Parts of the molecule are more positive or negative. This creates a "pole" - a positive end and a negative end. The polarity of a chemical causes differences in properties like how they dissolve or react.