dilute

Everyday

1. To make a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water or another liquid. tree →
2. (adjective) Weaker because water has been added: «a dilute acid». tree →
3. To make something weaker or less strong in effect: «dilute the message». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life you dilute squash or cordial with water. In science lessons, «dilute» and «concentrated» describe solutions; a dilute solution has less of the dissolved substance in the same amount of water. In cooking and cleaning, labels say «dilute before use». Phrases: «dilute with water», «dilute to taste», «dilute solution».

Examples

• Dilute the squash with lots of water. tree →
• Always dilute the cleaning liquid before use. tree →
• We diluted the paint so it would spread easily. tree →
• A dilute acid is less dangerous than a concentrated one. tree →
• Adding ice will dilute your drink as it melts. tree →
• Too many rules can dilute the fun of the game. tree →

Note

Opposite: «concentrate(d)». Noun: «dilution». In maths and science, diluting adds liquid but the amount of the dissolved stuff stays the same: 1 part squash to 4 parts water makes 5 parts drink, and the squash is 1/5 of it.