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

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

Copycat models and overexpansion can quickly dilute the “authentic” story that makes small luxuries appealing.

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But it also would dilute equity investors by issuing new shares.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Bergdorf Goodman has largely avoided the fate of other department stores, which expanded into the suburbs and diluted what made them special.

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

Read more on Salon

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.”

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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