Dim
Pronunciation
- enPR: dÄm, IPA: /dɪm/
- Rhymes: -ɪm
Origin
From Middle English dim, dym, from Old English dim, dimm ("dim, dark, gloomy; wretched, grievous, sad, unhappy"), from Proto-Germanic *dimmaz ("dark"), from Proto-Indo-European *dÊ°em- ("to whisk, smoke, blow; dust, haze, cloud; obscure"). Compare Icelandic dimmur ("dark") and dimma ("darkness").
Full definition of dim
Adjective
dim
- Not bright or colorful.The lighting was too dim for me to make out his facial features.
- Not smart or intelligent.He may be a bit dim, but he's not retarded.
- Indistinct, hazy or unclear.His vision grew dimmer as he aged.
- Disapproving, unfavorable: rarely used outside the phrase take a dim view of.
Verb
- (transitive) To make something less bright.He dimmed the lights and put on soft music.
- (intransitive) To become darker.The lights dimmed briefly when the air conditioning was turned on.
- To render dim, obscure, or dark; to make less bright or distinct; to take away the luster of; to darken; to dull; to obscure; to eclipse.
- Drydena king among his courtiers, who dims all his attendants
- CowperNow set the sun, and twilight dimmed the ways.
- To deprive of distinct vision; to hinder from seeing clearly, either by dazzling or clouding the eyes; to darken the senses or understanding of.
- C. PittHer starry eyes were dimmed with streaming tears.