Diluted

daɪˈluːtɪd

verbmedium📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To make a liquid thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent.

daɪˈluːt

verbneutralmedium
General

To make a liquid weaker by adding something else to it.

The teacher told us to dilute the paint with water to make it easier to spread.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're making juice, but it's super concentrated. Diluting means you add water to make it less strong and easier to drink. It's like stretching out a flavor!

👶 For kids: To make something less strong by adding water or something else.

More Examples

2

To lower the alcohol content, they diluted the drink with soda.

3

The company diluted its earnings per share by issuing more stock.

How It's Used

Chemistry

"The scientist diluted the acid with distilled water."

Cooking

"She diluted the juice with some water because it was too strong."

2

Having been weakened or made less effective by the addition of another substance or element.

daɪˈluːtɪd

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

Having been made weaker or less effective.

The impact of the law was diluted by loopholes.

💡 Simply: Imagine you had a great idea, but then other people started changing it and adding stuff. If the final result isn't as good as your original idea, it's been diluted—it's been watered down and isn't as strong.

👶 For kids: When something is made weaker or not as strong.

More Examples

2

The argument sounded more convincing before it was diluted with unnecessary details.

3

The colors were a diluted version of the original.

How It's Used

Figurative

"The protest's message was diluted by the lack of a clear objective."

Business

"The company's profits were diluted due to increased competition."

Tip:Think of a weakened potion or idea, it's less powerful.

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Latin *dilutus*, past participle of *dīluō* ('to wash away, dilute'), from *dis-* ('apart') + *luō* ('to wash').

The term 'diluted' has been used since the early 17th century, originally in chemistry contexts to describe the weakening of solutions.

Memory tip

Think of "dilute" as making something "less dense" like water.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to wash away, dilute"

diluted solutiondiluted paintdiluted profitsdiluted meaningdiluted juice

Common misspellings

dilutedddilutteddiluitied

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written