Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

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.
  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.
Show More
verb (used without object), di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing.
  1. to become diluted.
Show More
adjective
  1. reduced in strength, as a chemical by admixture; weak: a dilute solution.
Show More

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
British Dictionary definitions for dilutive

dilute

verb
  1. to make or become less concentrated, esp by adding water or a thinner
  2. to make or become weaker in force, effect, etche diluted his story
Show More
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 waterdilute acetic acid
Show More
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 dilutive

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.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
dilutive in Medicine

dilute

(dī-lōōt′, dĭ-)
v.
  1. To reduce a solution or mixture in concentration, quality, strength, or purity, as by adding water.
Show More
adj.
  1. Thinned or weakened by diluting.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.