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dilute

[ dih-loot, dahy-; adjective also dahy-loot ]
/ dɪˈlut, daɪ-; adjective also ˈdaɪ lut /
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See synonyms for: dilute / diluted 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.
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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)

OTHER WORDS FROM dilute

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH dilute

dilate, dilute
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dilute in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dilute

dilute
/ (daɪˈluːt) /

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 forms of dilute

dilutee, noundiluter, noun

Word Origin for dilute

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
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