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Glite Dictionary
dilutant

dilutant

8.7
A substance added to another to make it less strong, like water
  • noun
  • /dɪˈluːtənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : diluyente
  • In the laboratory, a dilutant is often mixed with chemicals to ensure safer handling.

Examples

  • The paint was too thick, so she used a dilutant to achieve a smoother consistency.

  • I mean, there's no adulterants, no alkaloids, no dilutants.

    American Gangster (2007)

  • To prepare the solution, the chemist added a dilutant to reduce the concentration of the acid.

Synonyms

thinner
vsdilutant
11 5.5

A liquid that makes paint less thick or helps clean brushes

acts to lower concentration rather than primarily changing thickness
diluent
vsdilutant
  • Specialized
1 9.0

A liquid that you add to medicine or chemicals to make them less strong

is the general term used beyond scientific or medical settings
adulterant
vsdilutant
  • Specialized
1 8.6

Something added to food or medicine to make them impure

is used to lower concentration without implying contamination or harm
extender
vsdilutant
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A substance added to a product to increase its volume or make it cheaper

focuses on reducing concentration rather than increasing product bulk
diluter
vsdilutant
4.5

A substance added to something to make it less strong

has identical meaning but appears as an alternative form
adulterator
vsdilutant
  • Specialized
9.6

A substance that makes another substance less pure or less effective

focuses on lowering concentration rather than on corrupting purity

How Diluting

thinner
11 5.5
dilutant
  • Specialized
8.7
diluent
  • Specialized
1 9.0

Surface Forms

dilutant singular
dilutants plural

Morphology

dilutant = dilute (transparent) = dilute + ant

Formed directly from the verb 'dilute' with the productive suffix '-ant' meaning 'one that dilutes', so the meaning is predictable from the base.

Etymology

The word dilutant comes from the same root dilut- as dilute, from Latin meaning 'to wash away' or 'make thin'. So a dilutant is something that 'thins' or 'weakens' a liquid, like water making strong juice less strong.