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

Hopes for interest-rate cuts are growing even dimmer on Wall Street.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Still, I ordered one — I didn’t want to put a dimmer on his inner child indulgence.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2026

These images allowed researchers to isolate the fading light of the supernova from the much dimmer glow of its host galaxy, a critical step in confirming the nature of the explosion.

From Science Daily • Dec. 28, 2025

Even when these objects are young and still glowing from the heat of their formation, they remain vastly dimmer than the stars they orbit.

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2025

Harry’s lamp seemed to grow dimmer as the cold gray light that precedes sunrise slowly crept into the room.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

Related Words

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