dilute

American  

[dih-loot, dahy-, dahy-loot] / dɪˈlut, daɪ-, ˈdaɪ lut /

verb (used with object)

diluted, diluting

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

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verb (used without object)

diluted, diluting

1. to become diluted.

adjective

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

   a dilute solution.

dilute British  

/ 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

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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

Other Word Forms

• antidilutive adjective
• dilutee noun
• diluter noun
• dilutive adjective
• dilutor noun
• overdilute verb
• undilute adjective
• undiluted adjective
• undiluting adjective

Etymology

Origin of dilute

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)

Example Sentences

The difference in price targets between the two is worth about $1.8 trillion in market value, based on 4.5 billion fully diluted shares outstanding.

From Barron's

The analysts say their forecast for Novartis’s quarterly sales of $13.3 billion is in line with consensus estimates, but they anticipate worse generic pressure and the recently closed Avidity deal to dilute margins.

From The Wall Street Journal

Teffera from Human Rights Watch fears that the importance of education as part of reparations discussions gets diluted by the inevitable focus on compensation payments.

From BBC

He said the Nazi regime was "the most barbaric ever, and I'd never make light of nor dilute its seriousness".

From BBC

With no rainwater to dilute the sewage it is particularly concentrated - this is an illegal practice.

From BBC

Related Words

• adulterate
• alter
• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• mitigate
• modify
• reduce
• temper
• water down