dim light

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   Light that is not bright, especially because it is weak or partly blocked.

   Grammar: Uncountable when talking about the quality of lighting in general; no plural.

   Patterns

   • in dim light
   • by the dim light of something
   • dim light from something

   I could hardly read the map in the dim light of the cave.

   The room was lit by the dim light of a single candle.

   Plants need some light, but they can survive in dim light.

2. 2nouncountable

   A particular lamp or source that gives weak light.

   Grammar: Countable when referring to one specific light source; plural is dim lights.

   Patterns

   • a dim light
   • dim lights
   • turn on a dim light

   A dim light was on in the hallway.

   She switched on a dim light so as not to wake the baby.

   The dim lights along the path made it hard to see the steps.

Common combinations

in dim light

The paintings look different in dim light.

the dim light of dawn

We set off in the dim light of dawn.

a dim light

There was only a dim light in the corner.

dim light bulb

Replace the dim light bulb with a brighter one.

Synonyms and how they differ

low light

Low light means there is not much light, often in photography or plant care; dim light stresses that the light is weak and not bright.

weak light

Weak light is less common and sounds more technical; dim light is the everyday choice for rooms and lamps.

faint light

Faint light is used for a very slight light that you can barely see, often from far away; dim light is a little stronger and more general.

Opposites

Word family

dim adjective

Not bright; a dim room or a dim light.

dimly adverb

In a way that is not bright: dimly lit.

dimness noun

The state of being dim.

Commonly confused: dim light or dim-witted?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “dim light”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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