Meaning & use

dim

adjective·Everyday

Giving or having only a small, weak amount of light.

See it in a sentence

The dim streetlight barely lit the narrow alley at night.

He turned the lamp down to a dim, cozy glow for reading.

A note on using this word

Dim can also describe a person's intelligence informally, as in a dim understanding of the topic, though this use can sound unkind.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. verb

To make or become less bright.

The lights dimmed slowly as the movie began.

Make it your own

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