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

The fund’s 1,534 different holdings mean even catastrophic losses in one sector get diluted across the portfolio like toxic waste in a swimming pool.

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Convertible debt can mean more shares outstanding in the future, diluting existing shareholders’ stakes, which is one reason shares can trade lower around offerings.

Read more on Barron's

There are also concerns that Strategy may continue to dilute existing shareholders, Galá said.

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Mergers involving stock can often hurt the acquirer’s stock price, as they dilute the ownership of existing shareholders.

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Too often, the organization’s strategy gets diluted by internal politics, pressure to produce good quarterly results or a fear of saying no.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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