dimmer

American  

[dim-er] / ˈdɪm ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that dims.

2. Also called dimmer switch.  a rheostat or similar device by which the intensity of an electric light may be varied.

3. dimmers,

   1. the low-beam headlights of an automobile or truck.

   2. the small, parking lights of an automobile.

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dimmer British  

/ ˈdɪmə /

noun

1. a device, such as a rheostat, for varying the current through an electric light and thus changing the illumination

2. (often plural)

   1. a dipped headlight on a road vehicle

   2. a parking light on a car

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Etymology

Origin of dimmer

First recorded in 1815–25; dim + -er ¹

Example Sentences

They now forecast total annual sales of about 16 million vehicles or fewer this year, and that outlook has grown even dimmer as the conflict in Iran keeps gas prices high.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

For that to happen, earnings won’t need to necessarily disappoint; rather, investors can choose to take a dimmer view on the immense corporate investment in AI-related data centers.

From MarketWatch • May 3, 2026

The drop in sentiment mostly reflected dimmer short-term expectations, with many consumers staying more optimistic about longer-term prospects, Hsu said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

However, the positions of much dimmer galaxies and clouds of gas that also emit Lyman alpha light have remained mostly hidden.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2026

This was a good thing because the Sun was significantly dimmer back then.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• blurred
• cloudy
• dark
• dingy
• dull
• faint
• fuzzy
• gloomy
• lackluster
• murky
• shadowy
• vague