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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of dimmer

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

Example Sentences

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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

“Roger had a joyful, luminous spirit, and the world is dimmer without him,” Bossert wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026

Slowly, as my eyes adjusted to the dimmer light of the room, I made out the plastic statuettes and holy pictures of saints which cluttered the bureau top.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

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