The isotropic and anisotropic solvation characteristics of cresyl violet acetate (CVA) were investigated in isotropic liquid solutions and in polar nematic matrices as a function of the solvent type and concentration. The interaction of the ionic dye with the anisotropic surrounding and with that of the isotropic solvents was investigated and compared. The experimental result suggests that the nematic liquid crystalline solvents might create stronger solvation than the isotropic solvents. The spectral shifts were correlated by the solvent permittivity and Kamlet–Taft parameters. The polarized absorption spectra of cresyl violet acetate were measured between 400 and 800nm and the dichroic ratio R and degree of anisotropy S of this dye in the liquid crystalline host determined.