dim
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.
to make dim or dimmer.
to switch (the headlights of a vehicle) from the high to the low beam.
to become or grow dim or dimmer.
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.
Idioms about dim
take a dim view of, to regard with disapproval, skepticism, or dismay: Her mother takes a dim view of her choice of friends.
Origin of dim
1synonym study For dim
Other words for dim
Other words from dim
- dimly, adverb
- dim·ma·ble, adjective
- dimness, noun
- un·dim, adjective
- un·dim·ly, adverb
- un·dimmed, adjective
Other definitions for dim. (2 of 3)
(in prescriptions) one-half.
Origin of dim.
2Other definitions for dim. (3 of 3)
dimension.
diminish.
diminuendo.
diminutive.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use dim in a sentence
How two entrepreneurs light up the dimmest corners of the world with a soccer ball.
sOccket Inventors: Being Young and Stubborn Helps Innovation | Casey Schwartz | March 9, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTShe had learned that for any real feeling—fear, joy, pain or even the dimmest-remembered pleasure, you paid a dear price.
The Mating of the Moons | Kenneth O'HaraBut even they have not the dimmest conception of what we mean by a fair chance for every human being—not the slightest.
The Life and Letters of Walter H. Page, Volume II | Burton J. HendrickFormal as it is, and recent as it is, Carlsruhe affords as pretty a legend as any fairy-founded city of dimmest ancestry.
Ten seconds before, five seconds before, he himself had not the dimmest idea that he was about to address the meeting.
The Card, A Story Of Adventure In The Five Towns | Arnold Bennett
I knew her to be a sailing-ship, for she showed no masthead-light, but there was not the dimmest outline to be seen of her.
My Danish Sweetheart., Volume 2 of 3 | William Clark Russell
British Dictionary definitions for dim
/ (dɪm) /
badly illuminated: a dim room
not clearly seen; indistinct; faint: a dim shape
having weak or indistinct vision: eyes dim with tears
lacking in understanding; mentally dull
not clear in the mind; obscure: a dim memory
lacking in brilliance, brightness, or lustre: a dim colour
tending to be unfavourable; gloomy or disapproving (esp in the phrase take a dim view)
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 beam: Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): dip
Origin of dim
1Derived forms of dim
- dimly, adverb
- dimness, noun
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with dim
see take a dim view.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse