Dilute Meaning
/daɪˈljuːt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo make thinner by adding solvent to a solution, especially by adding water.
verbTo weaken, especially by adding a foreign substance.
Sentence Examples
Can I use this solvent to dilute my sample?
You have to dilute it with water.
CEFR Practice Quiz
You should ____ the concentrated juice with water to reduce sweetness.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Can I use this solvent to ____ my sample?
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Mix their watery store / With the chyle's current, and dilute it more."
— 1712, Richard Blackmore, Creation: A Philosophical Poem:
"For if these Colours be diluted and weakened by the Mixture of any adventitious light, the distance between the places of the Paper will not be so great."
— 1704, I[saac] N[ewton], “[The First Book of Opticks. Part I.] ”, in Opticks: Or, A Treatise of the Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions and Colours of Light. […], London: […] Sam[uel] Smith, and Benj[amin] Walford, printers to the Royal Society, […], →OCLC, page 36:
"“Stay a little.”
“Not another second: language and discussion dilute thought; I will say no more.”"
— 1856, L. S. Lavenu, chapter XXXIII, in Erlesmere; or, Contrasts of Character, volume 1, London: Smith, Elder & Co., page 336:
"It's healthy to have people in the military who would perhaps rather be somewhere else; they can dilute the more gung-ho military types."
— 1980 August 30, Jil Clark, quoting Jane, “Gays Talk About Registration and the Draft”, in Gay Community News, volume 8, number 6, page 9:
"Courts have repeatedly struck down Republican-drawn maps on the grounds that they constitute illegal racial gerrymanders designed to dilute the electoral power of Black voters, who overwhelmingly cast Democratic ballots."
— 2025 October 27, Russell Berman, “‘California Is Allowed to Hit Back’”, in The Atlantic, archived from the original on 04 Nov 2025:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
You should ____ the concentrated juice with water to reduce sweetness.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Can I use this solvent to ____ my sample?