Diluted
/ˈdɪluˌtɪd/
adjectiveverbB2past tense, past participle
Definition
Diluted describes something that has become less strong, less pure, or less concentrated because something else (usually a liquid like water) has been added. This can happen with drinks, chemicals, colors, or even ideas and feelings when they lose their original power or effect.
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See It in Action
Made less strong or less concentrated by adding liquid
- •She diluted the juice with water because it was too sweet.
- •The chemical was diluted before use to make it safer.
- •Diluted paint covers a larger area but with a lighter color.
Made less pure or less effective (used figuratively)
- •The message was diluted after many people added their opinions.
- •His enthusiasm was diluted by the bad news.
- •The company's brand was diluted after several changes in management.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "diluted" like "weak" or "thin," but it happens because you add more liquid or something else to the original thing.
- ✓Picture pouring water into orange juice so it tastes less sweet and less strong.
- ✓It's the feeling when your favorite strong coffee becomes watery after adding too much milk.
- ✓Sounds like "DILL-you-tid" → imagine a dill pickle swimming in water, becoming less salty and strong.
- ✓Think of a story where a magic potion loses its power because someone added too much water.
- ✓NOT like "strong" (full power), diluted is the opposite—less power or less effect.
- ✓NOT like "mixed" (just combined), diluted means the original is made weaker, not just different.
- ✓NOT like "dissolved" (completely disappears), diluted means the original is still there but weaker.
Try Other Words
- •Thinned: made less thick or less strong by adding liquid (Use when talking about liquids or colors that become less thick)
- •Watered down: made weaker by adding water or less important parts (Use in both literal and figurative contexts, especially informal)
- •Weakened: made less strong or less powerful (Use for general weakening, not only by adding liquid)
- •Less concentrated: having less of the main substance in a mixture (Use in scientific or precise contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "di-" (away, apart) + "lute" (from Latin "luere," meaning to wash) + "-ed" (past tense/participle suffix)
- •Etymology: From Latin "dilutus," meaning washed away or spread out
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe liquids made thinner by adding water; later used for ideas or qualities made less strong
- •Modern usage: Common in science, cooking, and everyday language to describe liquids and also abstract things like feelings or messages
Reflect & Connect
•How does diluting a drink change the taste and the feeling of drinking it? Can this idea apply to other things like emotions or ideas?
•When can diluting something be helpful, and when can it be a problem? Think about both liquids and abstract ideas.
Fill in the blanks
1.The orange juice was diluted ___ adding too much water, so it lost its sweet taste.
2.When a strong opinion is diluted by many voices, it becomes ___ and less clear.
3.The scientist diluted the acid carefully because it was too ___ to use safely.
4.If you add too much milk, the coffee becomes diluted and ___ in flavor.
5.The company's message was diluted ___ many changes in leadership and marketing.
6.Diluted paint covers a larger ___ but with a lighter color.
7.The water diluted the salt solution, making it ___ salty than before.