Dilute
/daɪˈluːt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo reduce the strength, intensity, or concentration of something by adding another substance or element; to weaken.
/daɪˈluːt/
To make a liquid thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent.
She diluted the paint with turpentine to make it easier to spread.
💡 Simply: Imagine your orange juice is super strong and sour! To make it taste better, you add some water, right? That's *diluting* it! You're making it less strong.
👶 For kids: Making something weaker by adding water or other stuff.
More Examples
The company diluted its stock by issuing more shares.
To dilute the medication, add a precise amount of sterile water.
How It's Used
"The chemist diluted the acid with distilled water."
"Dilute the juice with a little water to make it less sweet."
To lessen or diminish the strength, value, or purity of something; often used figuratively.
/daɪˈluːt/
To make (something) less strong, potent, or effective.
The editor diluted the author's original message to make it more palatable to the general public.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a really cool idea for a video game, but you start adding a lot of unnecessary features. You're *diluting* the original idea, making it less exciting.
👶 For kids: Making something less strong, like when you don't want to feel scared anymore, you weaken the scary thing (dilute it).
More Examples
Increased competition can dilute market share.
The constant revisions diluted the quality of the essay.
How It's Used
"The politician's speech diluted his message."
"The company's profits were diluted by the new investment."
Having been reduced in strength, concentration, or effectiveness.
/daɪˈluːt/
Reduced in strength; weakened.
The doctor prescribed a dilute form of the medicine.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a weak coffee because there's too much water - that coffee is *dilute*.
👶 For kids: Something that has been watered down to make it not as strong.
More Examples
The dilute concentration of the chemical was safe for use.
He offered a dilute argument that lacked convincing evidence.
How It's Used
"a dilute acid solution"
"a dilute form of democracy"
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From Latin *dilutus*, past participle of *diluere* 'to wash away, dilute', from *dis-* 'apart' + *luere* 'to wash'.
The word has been used since the early 17th century, reflecting the scientific context of chemistry and experimentation, as well as later applying to figurative senses.
Memory tip
Think of *dilute* as *reducing the strength*. Imagine lemonade that's too strong; you *dilute* it with water.
Word Origin
"to wash away, dilute"