dim

[ dim ]

/ dɪm /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for dim on Thesaurus.com

adjective, dim·mer, dim·mest.

not bright; obscure from lack of light or emitted light: a dim room; a dim flashlight.

not seen clearly or in detail; indistinct: a dim object in the distance.

not clear to the mind; vague: a dim idea.

not brilliant; dull in luster: a dim color.

not clear or distinct to the senses; faint: a dim sound.

not seeing clearly: eyes dim with tears.

tending to be unfavorable; not likely to happen, succeed, be favorable, etc.: a dim chance of winning.

not understanding clearly.

rather stupid; dim-witted.

verb (used with object), dimmed, dim·ming.

to make dim or dimmer.

to switch (the headlights of a vehicle) from the high to the low beam.

verb (used without object), dimmed, dim·ming.

to become or grow dim or dimmer.

Verb Phrases

dim out, (in wartime) to reduce the night illumination of (a city, ship, etc.) to make it less visible from the air or sea, as a protection from enemy aircraft or ships.

OTHER WORDS FOR dim

3 unclear, faint, indefinite, indistinct, fuzzy, hazy.

10 darken, cloud.

12 dull, fade.

See synonyms for dim on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!

In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”

Question 1 of 7

The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

affect

effect

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Idioms about dim

take a dim view of, to regard with disapproval, skepticism, or dismay: Her mother takes a dim view of her choice of friends.

Origin of dim

before 1000; Middle English, Old English dim(me), cognate with Old Frisian dim,Old Norse dimmr

synonym study for dim

1. See dark.

OTHER WORDS FROM dim

dimly, adverbdim·ma·ble, adjectivedimness, nounun·dim, adjective

un·dim·ly, adverbun·dimmed, adjective

Other definitions for dim (2 of 3)

dim.¹

abbreviation

(in prescriptions) one-half.

Origin of dim.

From the Latin word dīmidius

Other definitions for dim (3 of 3)

dim.²

abbreviation

dimension.

diminish.

diminuendo.

diminutive.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use dim in a sentence

Use the two-button interface—one on the side, one on the tail—to toggle through its six power levels, from very dim to blindingly bright, or activate the strobe mode for emergencies.
Home and office products that make sure-fire gifts|PopSci Commerce Team|October 8, 2020|Popular-Science
The inability for consumers to switch between networks dims the possibility that competitors could dislodge Facebook.
House panel proposes largest antitrust reforms in decades to rein in Big Tech|kdunn6|October 7, 2020|Fortune
Though negotiations between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are ongoing, prospects for a deal remain dim.
Americans could face ‘unnecessary hardship’ without more stimulus, says Fed chief|Lee Clifford|October 6, 2020|Fortune
It sent mega-tsunamis racing across the ocean and dug a roughly 93-mile-wide crater, throwing much of that material into the atmosphere where it blocked and dimmed the sun for years.
The World’s Space Agencies Are on a Quest to Deflect a (Harmless) Asteroid|Jason Dorrier|September 27, 2020|Singularity Hub

Use the two-button interface—one on the side, one on the tail—to toggle through its five power levels, from very dim to blindingly bright, or activate the strobe mode for emergencies.
Flashlights for emergency scenarios and outdoor fun|PopSci Commerce Team|August 27, 2020|Popular-Science
The dimmed lights and sizeable golden calf on the center of the conference table should tip you off.
‘Persecuted’ Is the Christian Right’s Paranoid Wet Dream|Candida Moss|July 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was like Norma Desmond up there, still craving the spotlight after the spotlight had long since been dimmed.
Did Chris Christie Turn a Blind Eye?|Michael Tomasky|January 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The lights dimmed and Erik Satie's "Trois Gymnopédies" briefly came over the loud speaker.
Prabal Gurung Spring Summer 2014: Electric Feel|Isabel Wilkinson|September 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As the lights dimmed during the finale, he stood along two other favorites: Ahmed Jamal, an Egyptian, and Farah Youssef, a Syrian.
Arab Idol Mohammad Assaf Is the Middle East’s Newest Ambassador|Itay Hod|June 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Palin arrived at CPAC with her once-blinding luster seriously dimmed.
Sarah Palin Plays CPAC for Laughs|Howard Kurtz|March 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Sickness had never blanched the warm glow on her cheeks, or dimmed the brightness of her large, lustrous eyes.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
Both were too much overcome for words, but the doctor was the first to continue, as he took off his dimmed spectacles.
The Daisy Chain|Charlotte Yonge
Through eyes already dimmed by the instant action of the deadly poison, he peered up at Ward.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
The flux of pattern dimmed, then hesitated; blanked out and heroically began anew.
We're Friends, Now|Henry Hasse
She never dimmed the luster of sanctifying grace which beautified her soul by actual sin.
Mary, Help of Christians|Various

British Dictionary definitions for dim

dim

/ (dɪm) /

adjective dimmer or dimmest

badly illuminateda dim room

not clearly seen; indistinct; fainta dim shape

having weak or indistinct visioneyes dim with tears

lacking in understanding; mentally dull

not clear in the mind; obscurea dim memory

lacking in brilliance, brightness, or lustrea dim colour

tending to be unfavourable; gloomy or disapproving (esp in the phrase take a dim view)

verb dims, dimming or dimmed

to become or cause to become dim

(tr) to cause to seem less bright, as by comparison

US and Canadian (tr) to switch (car headlights) from the main to the lower beamAlso called (in Britain and certain other countries): dip

Derived forms of dim

dimly, adverbdimness, noun

Word Origin for dim

Old English dimm; related to Old Norse dimmr gloomy, dark

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for dim

dim.

abbr.

dimidius (half)

Other Idioms and Phrases with dim

dim

see take a dim view.