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 lessen the value of

specifically : 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 of dilute

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

Any perception that a new government might deprioritise or dilute this work would be read by markets as a signal, and not a good one. — Nina Seega, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

In Louisiana, where Black residents make up roughly one-third of the population, a federal court had found that a post-2020 congressional map with only one majority-Black district likely diluted Black voting power. — Juhi Doshi, ABC News, 22 July 2026

Adjective

Clean and disinfect your pruning shears between working on each plant by dipping them into a dilute 10% solution of chlorine bleach water or rubbing alcohol. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 July 2026

But dwarf galaxies are smaller and colder, with more dilute and slower-moving matter. — Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 6 May 2026

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