dilution: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Academic/Business
Quick answer
What does “dilution” mean?
the action of making a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water or another solvent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the action of making a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water or another solvent; the process of reducing the strength or concentration of something
The act of weakening the force, effectiveness, value, or distinctive character of something (e.g., an argument, a brand, or ownership shares) by adding other elements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. 'Stock dilution' and 'share dilution' are used interchangeably, with 'share dilution' being slightly more common in the UK.
Connotations
Neutral-to-negative connotation in most contexts (weakening). In science, neutral; in business/finance, often negative for existing shareholders.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American financial and legal contexts; similar frequency in scientific/academic registers.
Grammar
How to Use “dilution” in a Sentence
dilution of [NOUN]dilution by [AGENT/MEANS]dilution in [SUBSTANCE]dilution with [SUBSTANCE]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dilution” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They needed to dilute the acid before disposal.
- The minister's speech diluted the original policy message.
American English
- Dilute the cleaner with water first.
- The new shares will dilute existing stockholders' equity.
adverb
British English
- The sample was dilutionally prepared.
American English
- The solution was applied dilutionally to avoid damage.
adjective
British English
- The dilution effect was carefully measured.
- A dilution process is required by safety protocols.
American English
- The dilution factor was calculated at 1:10.
- Shareholders were concerned about the dilutionary impact.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the reduction in earnings per share or ownership percentage when new shares are issued (e.g., 'The new funding round caused significant equity dilution for early investors.').
Academic
Used in chemistry, biology, and economics to describe processes of reducing concentration or strength (e.g., 'The experiment required a ten-fold dilution of the original solution.').
Everyday
Common in discussions about drinks, cleaning products, or paint (e.g., 'Follow the dilution instructions on the bleach bottle.').
Technical
In laboratory settings, refers to the mathematical process of reducing solute concentration; in finance, calculated as impact on EPS or voting power.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dilution”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dilution”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dilution”
- Using 'dilution' as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'three dilutions' is only correct in lab contexts).
- Confusing 'dilution' with 'dissolution' (the act of dissolving).
- Misspelling as 'delution'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its core meaning relates to liquids, it is widely used metaphorically in finance (share dilution), branding (brand dilution), and general language (dilution of responsibility).
'Dilution' is making a concentrated solution weaker by adding more solvent. 'Dissolution' is the process of a solute dissolving into a solvent to form a solution. You dilute an already formed solution; you dissolve a solid to create one.
Yes, in scientific/technical contexts it's a neutral, necessary process (e.g., diluting a concentrated acid for safe use). In business, it's typically negative for existing shareholders but may be positive if the capital raised increases the company's overall value.
The verb is 'dilute'. It is a regular verb (dilute, diluted, diluting).
the action of making a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water or another solvent.
Dilution is usually formal/academic/business in register.
Dilution: in British English it is pronounced /dʌɪˈl(j)uːʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /daɪˈluːʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “water down (verb form - 'to water down an argument')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of adding water to concentrated orange juice: the JUICE becomes LESS potent through DILUTION.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRENGTH IS DENSITY / VALUE IS CONCENTRATION (weakening something is making it less dense or pure).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'dilution' MOST likely to have a positive connotation?