verb Uncommon

dilute

deye-LYOOT

Dilute (verb) means to make a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water or another solvent. Example: “Dilute the juice concentrate with three parts water.”

verb

To make a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water or another solvent.

"Dilute the juice concentrate with three parts water."

"The paint was too thick, so she diluted it slightly before applying a second coat."

To weaken something, especially by mixing in something else or spreading it thinner.

"Adding too many side plots diluted the impact of the main story."

"Issuing new shares can dilute existing shareholders' ownership stake."

adjective

Weak or thin because of dilution; low in concentration.

"The soup tasted watery and dilute."

How to use dilute

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo thin something out or weaken its strength, whether it is a drink, an argument, or a company's shares.

Common pairings

dilute with water dilute the concentration dilute shareholder value

Word forms

more dilute comparative, diluted past tense, dilutes plural, dilutes singular, most dilute superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ the juice concentrate with three parts water.

Etymology

From Latin "dīluere", "to wash away or dissolve" — the same root that gives us "deluge".

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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cut reduce load thin stretch diluted debase thin out adulterate

Related words

lot cut share increase pressure station weight charge

Rhymes for dilute

ute cute mute lute flute acute haute brute chute route minute refute

See all rhymes for dilute →

Frequently asked questions

What does “dilute” mean?

The word “dilute” means to make a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water or another solvent. In plain terms, to thin something out or weaken its strength, whether it is a drink, an argument, or a company's shares.

How do you pronounce “dilute”?

“Dilute” is pronounced deye-LYOOT (/daɪˈlut/ in IPA).

How do you use “dilute” in a sentence?

Here is “dilute” used in a sentence: “Dilute the juice concentrate with three parts water.”

What part of speech is “dilute”?

Depending on how it is used, “dilute” can be a verb and an adjective.

Where does the word “dilute” come from?

The word “dilute” comes from Latin. From Latin "dīluere", "to wash away or dissolve" — the same root that gives us "deluge".

Is “dilute” a common word?

“Dilute” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “dilute” have?

“Dilute” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water or another solvent.

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lot cut share increase pressure station weight charge