Definition

Noun: A substance used to dilute another substance, making it less concentrated. A diluent is a diluting agent.

Usage

A diluent is used to reduce the concentration or strength of a solution, mixture, or substance. It is a common term in chemistry, pharmacology, and manufacturing.

Examples

• In the laboratory, water is often used as a diluent for chemical solutions.
• The paint was too thick, so we added a diluent to make it easier to apply.
• Pharmaceutical companies must test the safety of any diluent used in injectable drugs.

Advanced Usage

• As a technical term: In gas chromatography, the carrier gas acts as a diluent.
• In commercial products: Many cleaning concentrates require a diluent, such as water, before use.

Variants and Related Words

• Dilute (verb): To make a liquid thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent.
• Dilution (noun): The action of making something weaker in force, content, or value, or the result of this process.

Synonyms

• Thinner
• Solvent (in specific contexts where it performs dilution)
• Diluting agent

Antonyms

• Concentrate
• Essence

Notes

While often a liquid, a diluent can sometimes be a gas (e.g., in industrial processes) or a solid powder used to bulk out a mixture. Its primary function is to decrease concentration without causing a chemical reaction with the primary substance.

Noun

1. a diluting agent