dim

adjective

/dɪm/

(comparative dimmer, superlative dimmest)

Idioms

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light

not bright

the dim glow of the fire in the grate
This light is too dim to read by.

Extra Examples

A dim lamp swung in the entrance.
It was hard to see in the dim glow of the streetlights.
Owls' eyesight is good in dim light.

place

where you cannot see well because there is not much light

a dim room/street

Extra Examples

The living room looked dim and shadowy.
The room was dim because the curtains were half drawn.
The room was very dim with a murky greenish light.
They stepped into the dim and cluttered little shop.
A voice came from the dim interior.

shape

that you cannot see well because there is not much light

the dim outline of a house in the moonlight
I could see a dim shape in the doorway.

eyes

not able to see well

His eyesight is getting dim.

memories

that you cannot remember or imagine clearly synonym vague

dim memories
She had a dim recollection of the visit.
(humorous) in the dim and distant past

person

(informal, especially British English) not intelligent

He's very dim.

Extra Examples

He seems incredibly dim sometimes!
He was good-natured but rather dim.
She was a pleasant but rather dim young woman.

Topics Personal qualitiesc2

situation

not giving any reason to have hope; not good

Her future career prospects look dim.

Word OriginOld English dim, dimm, of Germanic origin; related to German dialect timmer.

Idioms

take a dim view of somebody/something

to think somebody/something is bad; to not have a good opinion of somebody/something
- She took a dim view of my suggestion.
Extra Examples
- He takes a dim view of divorce.
- My mother takes a pretty dim view of my cooking skills.
Topics Opinion and argumentc2

dim

verb

/dɪm/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they dim	/dɪm/ /dɪm/
he / she / it dims	/dɪmz/ /dɪmz/
past simple dimmed	/dɪmd/ /dɪmd/
past participle dimmed	/dɪmd/ /dɪmd/
-ing form dimming	/ˈdɪmɪŋ/ /ˈdɪmɪŋ/

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light

[intransitive, transitive] dim (something) if a light dims or if you dim it, it becomes or you make it less bright

The lights in the theatre dimmed as the curtain rose.

Extra Examples

The electric light flickered and dimmed slightly.
We dimmed the lights in the room.
Dim the lights to create some atmosphere.

feeling/quality

[intransitive, transitive] dim (something) if a feeling or quality dims, or if something dims it, it becomes less strong

Her passion for dancing never dimmed over the years.

Word OriginOld English dim, dimm, of Germanic origin; related to German dialect timmer.