dilute
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
adjective
verb
-
to make or become less concentrated, esp by adding water or a thinner
-
to make or become weaker in force, effect, etc
he diluted his story
adjective
Other Word Forms
- antidilutive adjective
- dilutee noun
- diluter noun
- dilutive adjective
- dilutor noun
- overdilute verb
- undilute adjective
- undiluted adjective
- undiluting adjective
Etymology
Origin of dilute
1545–55; < Latin dīlūtus washed away, dissolved (past participle of dīluere ), equivalent to dī- di- 2 + -lūtus, combining form of lautus ( lav ( ere ) to wash + -tus past participle suffix)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Foley said it was actually 34 pounds of herbicide “diluted with 8 tons of water,” and that officials are trying to use the “least amount” possible.
From Los Angeles Times
The goal is to dilute the influence of alumni with affection for the school’s traditions.
Buyers, moreover, face a number of headwinds that could dilute the impact of lower rates.
And Iran is now offering new proposals such as diluting its highly enriched uranium which, at 60% purity, is dangerously close to weapons grade.
From BBC
But the law was diluted in 2014 when an amendment rid government ministers of the duty, the year Babis became finance minister.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
