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

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

Clouds of electrons between the pulsar and Earth create patterns of brighter and dimmer signal strength across different radio frequencies.

From Science Daily • Jan. 6, 2026

On social media, where the gathering has exploded, it looks like a multigenerational nightclub that could use dimmer lighting.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 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

This makes it more difficult for light from the star to escape, and the light appears dimmer and redder to an observer at a distance.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking

Related Words

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