Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

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

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
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Scientists may need to be deployed with the troops to dilute the uranium to render it safe.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

An ethics and safety review board—a committee that would include the DeepMind founders and some external grandees—should be set up to dilute Google’s power over the technology.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Rather than retire the senior preferred shares, Trump could decide to convert them to common shares, which would severely dilute the value of the existing common stock.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

"I'll dilute it. The kit's in the basement."

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.