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Meaning & use

dimming

noun, adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈdɪmɪŋ/
US/ˈdɪmɪŋ/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The act or process of making a light or screen less bright.

    Grammar: Usually uncountable and without an or an: automatic dimming.

    Patterns

    • the dimming of something
    • automatic dimming

    The phone has automatic dimming when you look away.

    The dimming of the stage lights signaled the start of the show.

    Gradual dimming helps the room feel calm in the evening.

  2. noununcountablefigurative

    A gradual loss of brightness, strength or hope.

    Grammar: Often used with of: the dimming of her hopes.

    Patterns

    • the dimming of something

    The dimming of the sky told us the storm was coming.

    We noticed a dimming of enthusiasm as the project dragged on.

    Years of struggle led to the slow dimming of his optimism.

  3. adjectivebefore a noun

    Becoming less bright, clear or strong over time.

    Grammar: Comes before a noun: a dimming light.

    Patterns

    • a dimming light

    She stared at the dimming screen of her laptop.

    In the dimming light of evening, the hills looked blue.

    The dimming hopes of the team showed in their faces.

Word forms

base formdim
third person singulardims
past tensedimmed
-ing formdimming

Common combinations

automatic dimming
The mirror has automatic dimming to reduce glare.
dimming lights
The dimming lights told us the theater was starting.
dimming switch
We installed a dimming switch in the dining room.
dimming of the sun
The dimming of the sun came with thick smoke.
screen dimming
Screen dimming can save battery power.

Synonyms and how they differ

fading
Fading suggests colors or sounds slowly disappearing, whereas dimming is about brightness specifically.
darkening
Darkening suggests the end result is darkness, while dimming might only be reduced brightness.
waning
Waning is more literary and often describes the moon, power or influence slowly shrinking.

Opposites

brightening

Word family

dim adjective
not bright
dim verb
to make or become less bright
dimmer noun
a switch that controls how bright a light is
dimly adverb
in a weak, faint way

Commonly confused: dimming or diming?

dimming vs diming

This is a misspelling; the verb dim doubles the m, so the correct form is dimming.

Practice

We could barely read in the ___ light of the old cabin.

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