dilute

[ dih-loot, dahy-; adjective dahy-loot ]

verb (used with object)

, di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing.

1. to make (a liquid) thinner or weaker by the addition of water or the like.
2. to make fainter, as a color.
3. to reduce the strength, force, or efficiency of by admixture.

   Synonyms: diminish, mitigate, temper, weaken

verb (used without object)

, di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing.

1. to become diluted.

adjective

1. reduced in strength, as a chemical by admixture; weak:

   a dilute solution.

dilute

/ daɪˈluːt /

verb

1. to make or become less concentrated, esp by adding water or a thinner
2. to make or become weaker in force, effect, etc

   he diluted his story

adjective

1. chem
   1. (of a solution, suspension, mixture, etc) having a low concentration or a concentration that has been reduced by admixture
   2. (of a substance) present in solution, esp a weak solution in water

      dilute acetic acid

Derived Forms

• ˌdiluˈtee, noun
• diˈluter, noun

Other Words From

• di·luter di·lutor noun
• di·lutive adjective
• anti·di·lutive adjective
• over·di·lute verb overdiluted overdiluting
• undi·lute adjective
• undi·luted adjective
• undi·luting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilute¹

1545–55; < Latin dīlūtus washed away, dissolved (past participle of dīluere ), equivalent to dī- di- ² + -lūtus, combining form of lautus ( lav ( ere ) to wash + -tus past participle suffix)

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilute¹

C16: from Latin dīluere, from dis- apart + -luere, from lavāre to wash

Example Sentences

For others, their opposition is much more deeply seated, a sense that it seeks to dilute the most human of all human emotions, to provide for your children when you are gone.

From BBC

Getting too close to your donors, like listening too hard to your consultants, often ends up diluting or blurring your message.

From Salon

The news and information space is fractured and diluted.

From Salon

Meanwhile, some political observers who closely tracked the 2021 redistricting say they too were concerned that the final map diluted Latino voting strength.

From Los Angeles Times

Leave it to the medium of animation to infuse new life into an intellectual property that has diluted itself with each sequel spawned for the big screen.

From Los Angeles Times