/ dɪm; NAmE / adjective , verb
■ adjective
( dim·mer , dim·mest )
LIGHT
1.
not bright :
the dim glow of the fire in the grate
This light is too dim to read by.
PLACE
2.
where you cannot see well because there is not much light :
a dim room / street
SHAPE
3.
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
4.
not able to see well :
His eyesight is getting dim.
MEMORIES
5.
that you cannot remember or imagine clearly
SYN vague :
dim memories
She had a dim recollection of the visit.
( humorous )
in the dim and distant past
PERSON
6.
( informal , especially BrE ) not intelligent :
He's very dim.
SITUATION
7.
not giving any reason to have hope; not good :
Her future career prospects look dim.
► dim·ness noun [ U ]:
It took a while for his eyes to adjust to the dimness.
—see also dimly
•
IDIOMS
- take a dim view of sb/sth
■ verb
( -mm- )
LIGHT
1.
if a light dims or if you dim it, it becomes or you make it less bright :
[ v ]
The lights in the theatre dimmed as the curtain rose.
[also vn ]
FEELING / QUALITY
2.
if a feeling or quality dims , or if sth dims it, it becomes less strong :
[ v ]
Her passion for dancing never dimmed over the years.
[also vn ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English dim , dimm , of Germanic origin; related to German dialect timmer .