dim

 
Pronunciation: /dɪm/

adjective (dimmer, dimmest)

  • 1(of a light, colour, or illuminated object) not shining brightly or clearly: the dim glow of the fire
  • (of an object or shape) made difficult to see by darkness, shade, or distance: a dim figure in the dark kitchen
  • (of a room or other space) made difficult to see in by darkness: long dim corridors
  • (of the eyes) unable to see clearly: his eyes became dim
  • (of a sound) indistinct or muffled: the dim drone of their voices
  • not clearly recalled or formulated in the mind: dim memories the matter was in the dim and distant past
  • 2(of a situation) not giving cause for hope or optimism: their prospects for the future looked fairly dim
  • 3 informal stupid or slow to understand: you’re just incredibly dim

verb (dims, dimming, dimmed)

  • make or become less bright or distinct: [with object]: a smoky inferno that dimmed the sun [no object]: the lights dimmed and the curtains parted
  • [with object] lower the beam of (a vehicle’s headlights) to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers: (as adjective dimmed) the car moved slowly, its headlights dimmed
  • make or become less intense: [with object]: the difficulty in sleeping couldn’t dim her happiness
  • make or become less able to see clearly: [no object]: his eyes dimmed

Phrases

take a dim view of

regard with disapproval.

Derivatives

dimly

adverb

dimmable

adjective

dimmish

adjective

dimness

noun

Origin:

Old English dim, dimm, of Germanic origin; related to German dialect timmer