DIM. Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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dim.

abbreviation for

(in prescriptions) one-half.

dim.

abbreviation for

dimension.
diminish.
diminuendo.
diminutive.

dim

[ dim ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

dimmer, dimmest.

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.
Synonyms: , , , , ,
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.

verb (used with object)

dimmed, dimming.

to make dim or dimmer.
Synonyms: ,
to switch (the headlights of a vehicle) from the high to the low beam.

verb (used without object)

dimmed, dimming.

to become or grow dim or dimmer.
Synonyms: ,

verb phrase

(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.

dim

/ ��ɪ�� /

adjective

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 )

verb

to become or cause to become dim
tr to cause to seem less bright, as by comparison
tr to switch (car headlights) from the main to the lower beam Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)dip

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Derived Forms

ˈ�徱��Ա��, noun
ˈ�徱��, adverb

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Other �y��vlogs From

�徱��l�� adverb
�徱��m��·�� adjective
�徱��n�� noun
�ܲ�·�徱�� adjective
un·�徱��l�� adverb
�ܲ�·�徱�� adjective

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of dim.¹

From the Latin word ��ī��徱�ܲ�

Origin of dim.²

before 1000; Middle English, Old English dim ( me ), cognate with Old Frisian dim, Old Norse dimmr

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of dim.¹

Old English dimm; related to Old Norse dimmr gloomy, dark

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Idioms and Phrases

take a dim view of, to regard with disapproval, skepticism, or dismay:
Her mother takes a dim view of her choice of friends.

More idioms and phrases containing dim.

see take a dim view .

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Synonym Study

See dark.

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Example Sentences

The adventurous couple enjoys crisscrossing Los Angeles to explore its treasures, from the peaceful gardens of the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens where they are members, to the delicious dim sum palaces of the San Gabriel Valley.

From

The cabin’s interiors are dim and brown, an ill-advised commitment to naturalistic lighting that’s all the more nonsensical given that other stretches of the film are vividly expressionistic with fireflies that zip into view whenever a night scene needs extra twinkle.

From

Crew will "try to give some decency to the dead body" by placing it on an empty aisle and using curtains, blankets and dim lights, Jay says, but they might not have much choice.

From

This dim view of the Trump and Musk policies is not limited to scientists and government employees.

From

Cold, snowy winters and rainy springs also dim young eaglets’ chances of survival.

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More About Dim

What does��dim mean?

Dim describes something as lacking light or having a weak brightness, as in a dim flashlight or a dim tunnel.��

Dim also describes things that are unclear, because of poor visibility, a weak understanding, or a more general lack of clarity, as in a dim shape in the distance, a dim noise, or a dim knowledge of math.��

Dim also describes having weak or poor vision, as in Jane’s eyes were dim with tears.��

Dim can be used to mean lacking mental ability or having low intelligence. However, this is almost always considered insulting.

As a verb, dim means to make something dim or less bright, as in He dimmed the lights. It can also be used to mean to grow dim or dimmer, as in The noise of the engine dimmed as the car drove out of sight.��

Example: Although the tunnel was dim, the faint candlelight guided the miner back to the surface.

Where does��dim come from?

The first records of dim come from before 1000. It ultimately comes from the Old English dimm, which is related to the Old Norse dimmr, meaning “gloomy” or “dark.”

The word dark is similar to dim but usually means a complete absence of light. A dark room would be one with the lights completely turned off, while a dim room still has a small, faint amount of light.

Dim is used to mean “disapproving” or “unfavorable” in the idiom take a dim view of, as in Her boss took a dim view of her constantly falling asleep at work.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to dim?

dimly (adverb)
dimmable (adjective)
dimmer (noun)
undim (adjective)

What are some synonyms for dim?

What are some words that share a root or word element with dim?��

dimwit

What are some words that often get used in discussing dim?

How is��dim used in real life?

Dim is commonly used, especially to mean a lack of brightness.

I look good in very dim lighting

— lexis (@alexisdeluna_)

I had a dim idea that if I walked the streets of New York all night something of the city's mystery and magnificence might rub off on to me.

— Sylvia Plath (@itssylviaplath)

The Andromeda galaxy is larger than the moon in the sky, but it is usually too dim to see.

— UberFacts (@UberFacts)

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Try using��dim!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym of dim?

A. clear
B. shadowy
C. dark
D. blurry

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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