ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dilute

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //daɪˈɫut// UK //daɪlˈuːt// di·lute

v. to make a liquid weaker by adding water or another liquid to it. You can also use it to describe making an idea or a feeling less strong.

v. to diminish the strength, concentration, or purity of a liquid by adding a solvent; by extension, to reduce the force or effectiveness of something abstract.


SIMPLE

You should dilute the juice with some cold water.

CONTEXTUAL

The chemist had to dilute the acid carefully before using it in the experiment to avoid a dangerous reaction.

COMPLEX

The board's decision to include several minor amendments served to dilute the original proposal, rendering the final policy far less impactful than initially intended.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Latin dīlūtus, from dīluere (“to wash away, dissolve, cause to melt, dilute”), from dī-, dis- (“away, apart”) + luere (“to wash”). See lave, and compare deluge.

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. It is often used with the preposition 'with'.

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