noun

diuretic

dy-yoo-RET-ik

Diuretic (noun) means a substance that makes the kidneys produce more urine, used medically to reduce fluid build-up and lower blood pressure. Example: “The doctor added a mild diuretic to bring his blood pressure down.”

noun

A substance that makes the kidneys produce more urine, used medically to reduce fluid build-up and lower blood pressure.

"The doctor added a mild diuretic to bring his blood pressure down."

"Loop diuretics act quickly and are used when the legs are badly swollen."

adjective

Causing the body to pass more urine than usual.

"Coffee has a mild diuretic effect in people who rarely drink it."

How to Use Diuretic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that makes you wee more.

When to use it

Medical but widely understood; water pill is the everyday equivalent.

Memory tip

Diuretic and its opposite antidiuretic differ by one prefix — ADH, antidiuretic hormone, tells the kidneys to keep water in.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

laxative → antidiuretic

Common pairings

thiazide diuretic loop diuretic natural diuretic diuretic effect

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The doctor added a mild _____ to bring his blood pressure down.

Etymology

From Greek diourētikos, from diourein 'to pass urine', formed from dia- 'through' and ouron 'urine'.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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water pill water tablet

Rhymes for diuretic

poetic genetic heretic kinetic ascetic frenetic magnetic cosmetic athletic diabetic pathetic copacetic

See all rhymes for diuretic →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is coffee a diuretic?

Caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, but regular drinkers develop a tolerance to it, and the fluid in the cup more than replaces what is lost. For most people, ordinary coffee counts towards daily fluid intake rather than against it.

What are diuretics prescribed for?

Mainly high blood pressure, heart failure, and swelling caused by fluid retention in the legs, lungs, liver or kidneys. Because they flush out salts as well as water, treatment usually involves blood tests to check potassium and sodium.

How is diuretic pronounced?

Four syllables, dy-yoo-RET-ik, with the stress on RET. The first syllable rhymes with eye.