investing

dilution

The reduction in existing shareholders' ownership percentage caused by the issuance of new shares.

Example

"When the company issued new shares to raise capital, existing shareholders experienced dilution."

💡 Memory Tip

Like diluting juice with water — adding new shares DILUTES the ownership of existing shareholders.

Etymology

From Latin 'diluere' meaning 'to wash away' — existing ownership is washed away by new shares.

Common Misspellings

dillutiondilutiondilushiondiluton

Related Terms

equitystockventure capital

See Also

shares

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