— dimly , adv. — dimmable , adj. — dimness , n.
/dim/ , adj., dimmer, dimmest , v. , dimmed, dimming .
adj.
1. not bright; obscure from lack of light or emitted light: a dim room; a dim flashlight.
2. not seen clearly or in detail; indistinct: a dim object in the distance.
3. not clear to the mind; vague: a dim idea.
4. not brilliant; dull in luster: a dim color.
5. not clear or distinct to the senses; faint: a dim sound.
6. not seeing clearly: eyes dim with tears.
7. tending to be unfavorable; not likely to happen, succeed, be favorable, etc.: a dim chance of winning.
8. not understanding clearly.
9. rather stupid; dim-witted.
10. take a dim view of , to regard with disapproval, skepticism, or dismay: Her mother takes a dim view of her choice of friends.
v.t.
11. to make dim or dimmer.
12. to switch (the headlights of a vehicle) from the high to the low beam.
v.i.
13. to become or grow dim or dimmer.
14. dim out , (in wartime) to reduce the night illumination of (a city, ship, etc.) to make it less visible from the air or sea, as a protection from enemy aircraft or ships.
[ bef. 1000; ME, OE dim ( me ), c. OFris dim, ON dimmr ]
Syn. 1. See dark. 3. unclear, faint, indefinite, indistinct, fuzzy, hazy. 11. darken, cloud. 13. dull, fade.