dimmer

[ dim-er ]

/ ˈdɪm ər /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

dimitrov, dimitrov, georgi, dimitrovo, dimity, dimly, dimmer, dimorph, dimorphism, dimorphite, dimorphous, dimp

Origin of dimmer

First recorded in 1815–25; dim + -er¹

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 MORE SYNONYMS FOR dim ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

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

un·dim·ly, adverbun·dimmed, adjective

Synonym study

1. See dark.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples 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 Formsdimly, 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

Word Origin and History for dimmer (1 of 3)

dimmer

1822, agent noun from dim (v.). Of mechanisms for reducing the brightness of electric lights, from 1905.

Word Origin and History for dimmer (1 of 3)

dim

c.1200, perhaps in Old English, from dim (adj.). Related: Dimmed; dimming.

Word Origin and History for dimmer (2 of 3)

dim

adj.

Old English dimm "dark, gloomy, obscure," from Proto-Germanic *dimbaz (cf. Old Norse dimmr, Old Frisian dim, Old High German timber "dark, black, somber"). Not known outside Germanic. Slang sense of "stupid" is from 1892. Related: Dimly; dimness.

Idioms and Phrases with dimmer

dim

see take a dim view.

dimmer

noun

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of dimmer

Definition for dimmer (2 of 2)

dim

adjective, dim·mer, dim·mest.

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

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

Verb Phrases

Origin of dim

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for dimmer

British Dictionary definitions for dimmer (1 of 2)

dimmer

noun

British Dictionary definitions for dimmer (2 of 2)

dim

adjective dimmer or dimmest

verb dims, dimming or dimmed

Word Origin for dim

Word Origin and History for dimmer (1 of 3)

dimmer

Word Origin and History for dimmer (1 of 3)

dim

Word Origin and History for dimmer (2 of 3)

dim

Idioms and Phrases with dimmer

dim