dimmer switch

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A control, usually a knob or slider, used to make an electric light brighter or less bright.

   Grammar: Countable: say a dimmer switch or two dimmer switches.

   Patterns

   • turn the dimmer switch
   • a dimmer switch for the lights

   She turned the dimmer switch until the room was softly lit.

   The dimmer switch on the wall lets you lower the lights for dinner.

   We replaced the old dimmer switch because it made a buzzing noise.

2. 2nouncountabletechnical

   A person or device that reduces the brightness of something, especially stage lighting.

   Grammar: Countable and often used for the person operating lights in a theater.

   Patterns

   • the dimmer switch controls something

   The dimmer switch brought the stage lights down slowly.

   In small theaters, the dimmer switch is often operated by one technician.

Word forms

Common combinations

turn a dimmer switch

Turn the dimmer switch clockwise to brighten the lamp.

install a dimmer switch

An electrician installed a dimmer switch in the dining room.

a dimmer switch for the lights

They bought a dimmer switch for the lights above the table.

replace a dimmer switch

He replaced the dimmer switch after it stopped working.

Synonyms and how they differ

dimmer

Shorter and more common in everyday speech; a dimmer switch is the full term for the wall control.

light control

A broader term that can mean any device for adjusting light, not only brightness.

Word family

dim verb

To make or become less bright.

dimmer noun

A device or person that lowers brightness, especially for stage lights.

Commonly confused: dimmer switch or dimmer?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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