dilute

1 of 2

verb

di·​lute dī-ˈlüt How to pronounce dilute (audio)
də-
diluted; diluting

transitive verb

1
: attenuate
dilute the power of the mayoralty
diluting the quality of the finished product
2
: to make thinner or more liquid by admixture
diluted the bleach with water
diluting juice with water
3
: to diminish the strength, flavor, or brilliance of (something) by or as if by admixture
dilute a color
But spreading the light out also dilutes it …Michael Zeilik and John Gaustad
4
: to decrease the per share value of (common stock) by increasing the total number of shares
diluter noun
or dilutor
dilutive adjective

dilute

2 of 2

adjective

: weak, diluted
a dilute acid solution
diluteness noun

Examples of dilute in a Sentence

Verb You can dilute the medicine with water. The hiring of the new CEO diluted the power of the company's president. diluting the quality of our products Adjective a dilute solution of acid a dilute acid that's safe to handle in the classroom
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Still, helpful timing in terms of diluting the amount of Grey’s content on people’s feeds that directly makes the show look McQuestionable. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 18 Oct. 2024 However, due to its intensity, thyme essential oil must be diluted with water or a carrier oil before use.2 Thyme is full of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, and is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Vinegar, which is really dilute acetic acid, will help the milk curdle by further denaturing the whey proteins and neutralizing negative charges at the surface of casein micelles. Liz Roth-Johnson, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2013 However toxic a substance may be, the amount of exposure received by the general population is very dilute. George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2013 See all Example Sentences for dilute 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dilute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Latin dīlūtus, past participle of dīluere "to wash away, dissolve, make thinner by mixing with water," from dis- dis- + lavere "to wash" — more at lye

Adjective

borrowed from Latin dīlūtus, past participle of dīluere "to wash away, dissolve, make thinner by mixing with water" — more at dilute entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dilute was circa 1575

Dictionary Entries Near dilute

Cite this Entry

“Dilute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dilute. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

dilute

1 of 2 verb
di·​lute dī-ˈlüt How to pronounce dilute (audio)
də-
diluted; diluting
: to make thinner or more liquid by adding in and mixing something
added water to dilute the punch

dilute

2 of 2 adjective
: lacking normal strength especially as a result of being diluted

Medical Definition

dilute

1 of 2 transitive verb
di·​lute dī-ˈlüt, də- How to pronounce dilute (audio)
diluted; diluting
: to make thinner or more liquid by admixture
diluter noun
also dilutor

dilute

2 of 2 adjective
: of relatively low strength or concentration
a dilute solution

Legal Definition

dilute

transitive verb
di·​lute dī-ˈlüt, də- How to pronounce dilute (audio)
diluted; diluting
: to cause dilution of

More from Merriam-Webster on dilute

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