verb

dilute

deye-LYOOT

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

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

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Test yourself on “dilute” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Can you complete this real example?

_____ the juice concentrate with three parts water.

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

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