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Meaning & use

deciliter

noun·Academictechnical

Last updated

UK/ˈdesɪˌliːtə/
US/ˈdesɪˌliːtər/

Meaning

  1. nouncountabletechnical

    A metric unit of volume equal to one tenth of a liter, or one hundred milliliters.

    Grammar: Countable: five deciliters; the symbol is dL or dl, with no plural s.

    Patterns

    • a deciliter of something
    • per deciliter

    Add two deciliters of milk to the batter.

    Blood sugar is often measured in milligrams per deciliter.

    A deciliter is about a third of a cup.

Word forms

pluraldeciliters

Common combinations

milligrams per deciliter
The lab report listed her cholesterol in milligrams per deciliter.
a deciliter of milk
The recipe calls for a deciliter of milk.
measure a deciliter
Measure a deciliter of water using the small glass.
two deciliters
Stir in two deciliters of flour.

Synonyms and how they differ

100 milliliters
This is the same amount written out and is easier to read in countries that rarely use the deciliter.
cup
A cup is an American kitchen measure of about 240 milliliters, so it is more than twice a deciliter.
liter
A liter is ten times larger than a deciliter.

Word family

liter noun
the base metric unit of volume
milliliter noun
one thousandth of a liter
deci- prefix
meaning one tenth, as in decimeter
decimal adjective
based on tens

Commonly confused: deciliter or decimeter? deciliter or decibel?

deciliter vs decimeter

A decimeter measures length, one tenth of a meter, while a deciliter measures volume.

deciliter vs decibel

A decibel measures sound loudness and has nothing to do with liquid volume.

Practice

How many milliliters are in one deciliter?

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