Meaning
Dilute means to make a liquid thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent. It can also mean to weaken the strength, quality, or value of something (like an argument, belief, or power).
Grammar and Usage
- Part of speech: verb / adjective
- Verb forms: dilute – diluted – diluted – diluting
- Adjective form: dilute (e.g., a dilute solution)
- Transitive verb: takes a direct object (e.g., dilute the juice with water)
Common structures
- dilute + something + with + something → to mix and weaken a liquid Example: She diluted the vinegar with water.
- dilute + something → to weaken or lessen the strength or impact Example: The company diluted its brand image by lowering product quality.
Common Phrases
- dilute solution – a weak mixture
- dilute acid – an acid that has been mixed with water
- dilute concentration – a low level of a substance in a mixture
- dilute the effect – reduce or weaken the effect
Collocations
- verb + dilute: try to dilute, need to dilute, must dilute
- noun + dilute: water, acid, juice, paint, medicine
- adjective + dilute: slightly dilute, very dilute
Examples
- You should dilute the juice with water before giving it to children.
- The teacher diluted the complex idea to make it easier to understand.
- Investors feared that new shares would dilute the value of existing ones.
- The medicine is too strong; please dilute it before use.
- The report dilutes the seriousness of the problem.
- A dilute acid is less dangerous but still must be handled carefully.
- They tried to dilute the criticism with humor.
- Adding ice cubes will dilute your drink over time.
Synonyms or Related
- weaken
- thin
- water down
- reduce
- diminish
Antonym
- concentrate
- strengthen
- intensify