Definition
To dilute is to weaken by spreading thin — classically by adding water, so a strong solution becomes mild. From the Latin diluere, 'to wash away', it keeps that sense of strength draining out: dilute the acid, dilute the juice. Figuratively, anything concentrated can be diluted — a message, a brand, a share of power — when it is stretched across too much. It is the opposite of saturate: where one packs more in, the other thins it out until little force remains.
Examples
- Always dilute the concentrate with three parts water before drinking.
- Adding too many managers only diluted each one's authority.
- Endless reprints diluted the brand until its value began to deplete.
Collocations
dilute a solution·heavily diluted·dilute the impact·dilute control
Synonyms
thin·water down·weaken·attenuate·temper
Antonyms
concentrate·saturate·strengthen
Word family
dilution (noun)·diluted (adjective)
In TOEFL & IELTS
TOEFL chemistry passages use 'dilute' and 'dilution' literally (a dilute acid, serial dilution), while business and politics passages use it figuratively — 'dilute the message/the shares/the vote'. In IELTS Writing, 'this dilutes the impact of the policy' is a precise cause-and-effect verb. Note the adjective 'dilute' (a dilute solution) alongside the verb.