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

He stopped short, however, of explicitly calling for the rules to be diluted further.

From BBC

"So if insulin levels are too high, it actually then dilutes the leptin signal and suddenly the brain can't sense how much fat is stored."

From BBC

In many Indian families, cow's milk is believed to be too thick for infants and capable of upsetting their digestion, leading caregivers to dilute it.

From BBC

The equity awards are inflating the company’s heavy operating losses and diluting existing shareholders at a rapid clip.

From The Wall Street Journal

Complexity obscures risk, dilutes accountability and creates false confidence.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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