dimmer

[ dim-er ]

/ ˈdɪm ər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR dimmer ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person or thing that dims.

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

dimmers,

the low-beam headlights of an automobile or truck.
the small, parking lights of an automobile.

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anchorite

a granular metamorphic rock.

a person who has retired to a solitary place for a life of religious seclusion.

a hobble or fetter for a horse or other animal.

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Origin of dimmer

First recorded in 1815–25; dim + -er¹

Words nearby dimmer

dimissory, dimitrios i, dimitrov, dimitrovo, dimity, dimmer, dimorph, dimorphism, dimorphite, dimorphous, dimp

Definition for dimmer (2 of 2)

dim

[ dim ]

/ dɪm /

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.

Origin of dim

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

SYNONYMS FOR dim

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

10 darken, cloud.

12 dull, fade.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR dim ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for dim

1. See dark.

OTHER WORDS FROM dim

dim·ly, adverbdim·ma·ble, adjectivedim·ness, nounun·dim, adjective

un·dim·ly, adverbun·dimmed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for dimmer

Vaccination works more like a light with a dimmer than an on-off switch, said Slifka.
A Fully Vaccinated Woman Contracted and Then Spread Measles. WTF?|Elizabeth Lopatto|April 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Make sure you choose a dimmer manufacturer who provides readily-accessible information on compatible lamps and dimmers.
The Light Bulb Is Dead. Long Live the Light Bulb!|Ethan Biery|December 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But the hopes of arriving anywhere else have never been dimmer.
Half-Baked Treaty Deal Could Lead to Collapse of Euro Zone|Felix Salmon|December 9, 2011|DAILY BEAST
For a long time after old Jimmy took his leave, Alec sat gazing into the flickering fire, as the room grew dimmer and dimmer.
Flip's "Islands of Providence"|Annie Fellows Johnston

Then her form grew dimmer and dimmer until there was only a shadowy outline of what had been clear and distinct.
The Everlasting Arms|Joseph Hocking
His answer as he lay back with eyes closed again was another of his smiles, only dimmer now with a faint bitter-sweetness.
The Side Of The Angels|Basil King
The dimmer stars were extinguished by the goggles they wore.
Space Tug|Murray Leinster
His form became more and more clearly outlined, while that of the angel became dimmer and dimmer.
The Everlasting Arms|Joseph Hocking

British Dictionary definitions for dimmer (1 of 2)

dimmer

/ (ˈdɪmə) /

noun

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

(often plural) US

a dipped headlight on a road vehicle
a parking light on a car

British Dictionary definitions for dimmer (2 of 2)

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

Idioms and Phrases with dimmer

dim

see take a dim view.

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dimmer

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Origin of dimmer

Words nearby dimmer