dilution

IPA/daɪˈluːʃn/
KK[daɪlˈuʃən]IPA/daɪˈluːʃn/

dilution — noun

  • dilutionsingular
  • dilutionsplural

1. the process of making a liquid less concentrated by adding water or another subs

1.nounB2
Definition

the process of making a liquid less concentrated by adding water or another substance, or the weaker liquid that results from this process

Example

Élise measured the water needed for the dilution of the concentrated orange juice.

dilution of + specific liquid (concentrated orange juice)

The lab assistant prepared the solution through careful dilution with distilled water.

adjective + dilution: careful dilution

Common collocations
  • dilution of + liquid
  • dilution with water
  • further dilution
  • gradual dilution
  • dilution ratio
  • careful dilution
Synonyms
  • watering down

    more informal; often used for drinks or household liquids

  • thinning

    emphasises the reduction in viscosity, common in paint or chemical contexts

  • weakening

    more general; can be used for any reduction in strength

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

dilution + of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Typically followed by 'of' to specify the liquid being diluted, or 'with' to name the substance added. Common in scientific and domestic contexts (cooking, cleaning).

Common Mistakes

The dilution of the mixture made it hotter and more reactive.
The dilution of the mixture made it weaker and less concentrated.
Dilution always results in a weaker, not stronger, substance.
The dissolution of the salt in water happened quickly.
The dilution of the salt solution with water made it less salty.
Dissolution is a solid dissolving into a liquid; dilution is reducing the strength of an already-mixed liquid.

2. the reduction in the strength, power, or importance of something that is not phy

2.nounB2
Definition

the reduction in the strength, power, or importance of something that is not physical, such as a feeling, principle, tradition, or standard

Example

Many local residents opposed the dilution of the neighbourhood's cultural traditions by new development.

dilution of + abstract noun: cultural traditions

The dilution of safety standards over the years led to an increase in workplace accidents.

Common collocations
  • dilution of standards
  • dilution of values
  • cultural dilution
  • constant dilution
  • gradual dilution
  • suffer dilution
Synonyms
  • erosion

    suggests a slow, gradual wearing away; stronger negative tone

  • weakening

    more general; less specific to gradual processes

  • diminishment

    more formal; emphasises loss of value or importance

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

dilution + of + abstract noun phrase

Usage Note

Common in discussions about cultural change, ethical standards, and organisational purpose. Often paired with negative adjectives such as 'gradual', 'constant', 'serious', or 'unacceptable'.

Common Mistakes

The dilution of the team spirit made everyone work better together.
The dilution of the team spirit made members feel less connected and motivated.
Dilution of an intangible always weakens or reduces it, never improves it.

3. a decrease in the per-share value of a company's stock that occurs when the tota

3.nounC1
Definition

a decrease in the per-share value of a company's stock that occurs when the total number of shares increases, usually because new shares are issued to raise capital

Example

The company's decision to issue more shares led to a 15% dilution of existing shareholders' equity.

percentage + dilution + of + financial term: shareholders' equity

Rafael warned investors about the potential dilution before the startup announced its second funding round.

potential dilution + in investment context

Common collocations
  • share dilution
  • equity dilution
  • stock dilution
  • potential dilution
  • significant dilution
  • dilution clause
  • anti-dilution provision
Synonyms
  • equity dilution

    more specific; refers directly to ownership percentage decreasing

  • share erosion

    more informal; emphasises gradual loss of value

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

dilution + of + noun phrase (financial terms)

Usage Note

Frequently appears in financial reports, shareholder communications, and corporate governance discussions. Often preceded by 'equity', 'stock', or 'share' to specify the type of dilution. Commonly combined with 'anti-dilution' provisions in investment contracts.

Common Mistakes

The dilution of the company's stock made each share more valuable.
The dilution of the company's stock made each share less valuable.
Dilution always decreases, not increases, the value per share.
The dissolution of the company caused share dilution.
The issuance of new shares caused the dilution of existing shareholders' equity.
Dissolution means ending a company; dilution means reducing per-share value through new shares.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words describe reducing the strength of a liquid, but they differ in scope and register. 'Dilution' is the most formal and technically precise term; it refers specifically to lowering the concentration of a solution by adding another substance, and is the standard term in science, medicine, and manufacturing. 'Thinning' focuses on reducing viscosity rather than concentration; you thin paint with turpentine but you do not 'thin' orange juice. 'Watering down' is more informal and often carries a negative connotation of cheapening or spoiling something; a restaurant might water down the soup to save money, but a chemist would never use the phrase in a lab report. Use 'dilution' for technical or neutral descriptions, 'thinning' for viscosity-related changes, and 'watering down' for informal or critical contexts.

dilution ↗thinning ↗watering down

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in dilution
  • by dilution
  • as a result of dilution

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'diluere' meaning 'to wash away or dissolve,' formed from 'dis-' (apart) and 'luere' (to wash). The word entered English in the mid-1500s as a term in chemistry and medicine before taking on figurative and financial meanings in later centuries.