dim

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Having or giving little light; not bright.

   Grammar: Can be used before a noun (a dim room) or after a linking verb (the room was dim).

   Patterns

   • dim light
   • a dim room
   • grow dim

   The dim light in the hallway made it hard to see the steps.

   She read by a dim lamp in the corner.

   As the sun set, the room grew dim.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Not clearly remembered or understood; vague.

   Grammar: Often used before nouns like memory, recollection, or awareness.

   Patterns

   • a dim memory
   • a dim recollection
   • dim awareness

   I have only a dim memory of my first day at school.

   He had a dim awareness that something was wrong.

   The details of that summer are dim now.

3. 3adjectivecomparableinformaldisapproving

   Not intelligent; slow to understand. Often used informally and can sound unkind.

   Grammar: Usually used before a noun (a dim student) or after a linking verb (he seemed dim).

   Patterns

   • a dim person
   • a dim idea
   • be dim

   He's not dim; he just needs more time to think.

   That was a dim thing to say.

   She felt dim compared to her clever classmates.

4. 4verbtransitive or intransitive

   To make something less bright, or to become less bright.

   Grammar: Can take an object (dim the lights) or be used without one (the lights dimmed).

   Patterns

   • dim something
   • dim the lights
   • something dims

   Please dim the lights before the film starts.

   The stage lights dimmed slowly.

   She dimmed the screen to save battery.

Word forms

Common combinations

dim light

The dim light made it difficult to read.

dim memory

I have a dim memory of visiting that castle.

dim the lights

Could you dim the lights a little?

grow dim

The stars grew dim as dawn approached.

dim view

The teacher takes a dim view of cheating.

Synonyms and how they differ

faint

Faint suggests something is barely noticeable, like a faint smell or sound; dim is more about light that is not strong.

dark

Dark means almost no light, while dim means there is some light but it is weak.

vague

Vague is used for ideas or memories that are not clear; dim can also mean this but is less common in everyday speech.

Opposites

Word family

dimly adverb

In a dim way; with little light.

dimness noun

The state of being dim.

dimmer noun

A device for changing the brightness of a light.

Commonly confused: dim or dumb?

Practice

Make it your own

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

Explore more words