dilute

[dih-loot, dahy-, dahy-loot]

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

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

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

Historically, Section 2 has served as the enforcement mechanism that allows plaintiffs to challenge voting maps that dilute minority vote strength through racial gerrymandering..

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Bost argues that this effectively extends Election Day and that residents who vote in person are having their votes “diluted by illegal ballots received in violation of the federal Election Day statutes.”

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The map would also dilute the number of GOP voters in the districts represented by Reps.

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The banking secrecy laws, now much diluted, were designed to shield an individual's personal finances from the prying eyes of the state.

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Many fear that losing its former special status has left the region vulnerable to outside economic interests and diluted local control over culture, land and resources.

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Related Words

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