dilute

American  

[dih-loot, dahy-, dahy-loot] / dɪˈlut, daɪ-, ˈdaɪ lut /

verb (used with object)

dilutes, present (3rd person singular) diluted, past participle, past diluting present participle

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)

dilutes, present (3rd person singular) diluted, past participle, past diluting present participle

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

Derived Forms

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has diluted
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have diluted
  perfect
• am diluting
  progressive 1st person singular
• are diluting
  progressive
• has been diluting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• have been diluting
  perfect progressive
• is diluting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• dilutes
  singular 3rd person
• diluting
  participle

Past

• had diluted
  perfect
• was diluting
  progressive singular
• were diluting
  progressive plural
• diluted
  simple
• had been diluting
  perfect progressive
• diluted
  participle

Future

• will dilute
  simple
• will have diluted
  perfect
• will be diluting
  progressive
• will have been diluting
  perfect progressive

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)

Explanation

When you dilute something, you make it thinner, weaker, or more watered down. If you put lots of ice cubes in your soda, the ice will melt and dilute the drink. Think about diluting as lessening the quality but increasing the quantity. Unless you're diluting a really strong drink to make it taste better or diluting heavy paint to get a lighter shade — then the quality actually improves. Quipped President John F. Kennedy, “Public speaking is the art of diluting a two-minute idea with a two-hour vocabulary.”

Example Sentences

When helium-3 atoms gradually separate from a dilute mixture containing the two isotopes, they form a pure helium-3 layer on top.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

While $39 billion in orders is a positive signal for Super Micro’s business, Wall Street was spooked by the equity financing plans, which will dilute existing shareholders.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

That should be good news for enthusiasts like Robbins, who have expressed concern that Lotus’s emphasis on battery power and bigger vehicles could dilute what the brand stands for.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

Investors in GameStop may have clued in to the financing arrangements of the deal, which could dilute shareholders.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

His goal may have been to dilute the impact of a fallout study released by the National Academy of Sciences.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

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