dilute

1 of 2

verb

di·​lute dī-ˈlüt 

də-

diluted; diluting

transitive verb

1

: attenuate

dilute the power of the mayoralty

diluting the quality of the finished product

2

: to make thinner or more liquid by admixture

diluted the bleach with water

diluting juice with water

3

: to diminish the strength, flavor, or brilliance of (something) by or as if by admixture

dilute a color

But spreading the light out also dilutes it …

—Michael Zeilik and John Gaustad

4

: to decrease the per share value of (common stock) by increasing the total number of shares

diluter noun

or dilutor

dī-ˈlü-tər 

də-

dilutive

dī-ˈlü-tiv 

də-

adjective

dilute

2 of 2

adjective

: weak, diluted

a dilute acid solution

diluteness noun

Synonyms

Verb

• adulterate
• cut
• extend
• lace
• sophisticate
• thin
• water down
• weaken

Adjective

• diluted
• thin
• thinned
• washy
• watery
• weak
• weakened

Examples of dilute in a Sentence

Verb

You can dilute the medicine with water.

The hiring of the new CEO diluted the power of the company's president.

diluting the quality of our products

Adjective

a dilute solution of acid

a dilute acid that's safe to handle in the classroom

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

As the identity of everyone is obvious and the timeline of events is precise, this does not dilute the film’s impact. —Richard Kuipers, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024

These delays repeatedly ceded the initiative to Moscow and diluted the effectiveness of U.S. aid, prolonging the conflict and diminishing Kyiv’s negotiating leverage. —Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Vinegar, which is really dilute acetic acid, will help the milk curdle by further denaturing the whey proteins and neutralizing negative charges at the surface of casein micelles. —Liz Roth-Johnson, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2013

However toxic a substance may be, the amount of exposure received by the general population is very dilute. —George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2013

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Latin dīlūtus, past participle of dīluere "to wash away, dissolve, make thinner by mixing with water," from dis- dis- + lavere "to wash" — more at lye

Adjective

borrowed from Latin dīlūtus, past participle of dīluere "to wash away, dissolve, make thinner by mixing with water" — more at dilute entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1605, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dilute

1 of 2 verb

di·​lute dī-ˈlüt 

də-

diluted; diluting

: to make thinner or more liquid by adding in and mixing something

added water to dilute the punch

dilute

2 of 2 adjective

: lacking normal strength especially as a result of being diluted

Medical Definition

dilute

1 of 2 transitive verb

di·​lute dī-ˈlüt, də- 

diluted; diluting

: to make thinner or more liquid by admixture

diluter noun

also dilutor

-ər 

dilute

2 of 2 adjective

: of relatively low strength or concentration

a dilute solution

Legal Definition

dilute

transitive verb

di·​lute dī-ˈlüt, də- 

diluted; diluting

: to cause dilution of