diluted; diluting
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
Michael Zeilik and John Gaustad4
: to decrease the per share value of (common stock) by increasing the total number of shares
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
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
Such critics are concerned that our approach might dilute the sense of urgency necessary and undermine public messaging.
—Francesco Rubino, Time, 9 July 2025
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
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Verb
Fill the glass with ice, and repeat with the other glass.
3: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, stir together the Earl Grey simple syrup, lime juice and smoked paprika until thoroughly chilled and diluted, about 15 seconds.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
Such critics are concerned that our approach might dilute the sense of urgency necessary and undermine public messaging.
—Francesco Rubino, Time, 9 July 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Dilute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dilute. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dilute
1 of 2 verb
di·lute
dī-ˈlüt 
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-
diluted; diluting
: to make thinner or more liquid by admixture
dilute
2 of 2 adjective
: of relatively low strength or concentration
a dilute solution
Legal Definition
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