dilute

1 of 2

verb

di·​lute dī-ˈlüt 

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

dī-ˈlü-tər 

də-

dilutive

dī-ˈlü-tiv 

də-

adjective

dilute

2 of 2

adjective

: weak, diluted

a dilute acid solution

diluteness noun

Synonyms

Verb

• pollute
• cut
• weaken
• load
• poison
• infect
• adulterate
• dirty
• thin
• manipulate
• spoil
• extend
• taint
• water down
• contaminate

Adjective

• diluted
• thin
• thinned

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

Thune took the step last month of allowing Trump officials to be approved in batches, essentially diluting the power of senators in the minority party to register their complaints. —David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2025

Americano Americano is a shot of espresso that’s diluted with hot water, resulting in a smoother and more balanced flavor. —Laura Schober, Health, 23 Oct. 2025

Adjective

Second, a dilute hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the remaining lithium and the transition metals—nickel, cobalt, and manganese. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025

For example, Wilson’s team is exploring whether dilute acids speed up weathering. —Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, 3 Sep. 2020

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

Rhymes for dilute

• acute
• aleut
• astute
• beetroot
• breadfruit
• cheroot
• commute
• compute
• confute
• dispute
• elute
• grapefruit

Kids 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

diluter noun

also dilutor

-ər 

dilute

2 of 2 adjective

: of relatively low strength or concentration

a dilute solution

Legal Definition

dilute

transitive verb

di·​lute dī-ˈlüt, də- 

diluted; diluting

: to cause dilution of