dilute

[dih-loot, dahy-; adjective dahy-loot]

See more synonyms for dilute on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing.

to make (a liquid) thinner or weaker by the addition of water or the like.
to make fainter, as a color.
to reduce the strength, force, or efficiency of by admixture.

verb (used without object), di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing.

to become diluted.

adjective

reduced in strength, as a chemical by admixture; weak: a dilute solution.

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)

Related formsdi·lut·er, di·lu·tor, noundi·lu·tive, adjectivean·ti·di·lu·tive, adjectiveo·ver·di·lute, verb, o·ver·di·lut·ed, o·ver·di·lut·ing.un·di·lute, adjectiveun·di·lut·ed, adjectiveun·di·lut·ing, adjective

Can be confuseddilate dilute

Synonyms

See more synonyms for dilute on Thesaurus.com

3. weaken, temper, mitigate, diminish.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for diluted

Contemporary Examples

Importantly, as part of the interim plan, Iran has diluted or converted its stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium.
Iran Nuke Deal: A Matter of War or Peace
Christopher Dickey
November 23, 2014
The idea that blends are just “diluted malts” was born and has contributed to its lasting image problem, Broom says.
Don't Be a Single-Malt Scotch Snob
Kayleigh Kulp
August 9, 2014
They pump their haul of diluted bitumen into tanker cars in the terminal's loading yard, thick with the smell of petroleum.
Pipelines, Not Rail, Ctd.
Justin Green
April 10, 2013
And in France itself, those trends have diluted what people here still like to believe is their “exceptionalism.”
My Horsemeat Lunch
Christopher Dickey
February 27, 2013
Still, Mitt did echo Gore, a diluted imitation: “My mom and dad gave their kids the greatest gift of all—unconditional love.”
Romney’s Lame Speech Might Have Gone Better Had He Learned From Bush 1 and Al Gore
Robert Shrum
September 1, 2012

Historical Examples

It may also be diluted with other liquids and used for a beverage.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5
Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
This will make strong coffee, which can be diluted with boiling water as required.
The Skilful Cook
Mary Harrison
The acid is mixed with the diluted electrolyte outside of the plates.
The Automobile Storage Battery
O. A. Witte
Now get some hydrochloric acid (HCl) diluted with three parts of water.
Common Science
Carleton W. Washburne
Cassy enjoyed the food, the diluted wine, Paliser's facile touch.
The Paliser case
Edgar Saltus

British Dictionary definitions for diluted

dilute

verb

to make or become less concentrated, esp by adding water or a thinner
to make or become weaker in force, effect, etche diluted his story

adjective

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 waterdilute acetic acid

Derived Formsdilutee, noundiluter, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin dīluere, from dis- apart + -luere, from lavāre to wash

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

Word Origin and History for diluted

dilute

v.

1550s, from Latin dilutus, past participle of diluere "dissolve, wash away, dilute," from dis- "apart" + -luere, comb. form of lavere "to wash" (see lave). Related: Diluted; diluting. As an adjective from c.1600.

diluted in Medicine

dilute

(dī-lōōt′, dĭ-)

To reduce a solution or mixture in concentration, quality, strength, or purity, as by adding water.

adj.

Thinned or weakened by diluting.

dilute

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Synonyms

Examples from the Web for diluted

Contemporary Examples

Importantly, as part of the interim plan, Iran has diluted or converted its stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium.

The idea that blends are just “diluted malts” was born and has contributed to its lasting image problem, Broom says.

They pump their haul of diluted bitumen into tanker cars in the terminal's loading yard, thick with the smell of petroleum.

And in France itself, those trends have diluted what people here still like to believe is their “exceptionalism.”

Still, Mitt did echo Gore, a diluted imitation: “My mom and dad gave their kids the greatest gift of all—unconditional love.”

Historical Examples

It may also be diluted with other liquids and used for a beverage.

This will make strong coffee, which can be diluted with boiling water as required.

The acid is mixed with the diluted electrolyte outside of the plates.

Now get some hydrochloric acid (HCl) diluted with three parts of water.

Cassy enjoyed the food, the diluted wine, Paliser's facile touch.

dilute

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for diluted

dilute

v.

dilute

Origin of dilute