Definition Definition

dim - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'dim' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Dim [ superl.]
- Not bright or distinct; wanting luminousness or clearness; obscure in luster or sound; dusky; darkish; obscure; indistinct; overcast; tarnished.
- Of obscure vision; not seeing clearly; hence, dull of apprehension; of weak perception; obtuse.
2 . Dim [ v. i.]
- To grow dim.
3 . Dim [ v. t.]
- 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.
- To deprive of distinct vision; to hinder from seeing clearly, either by dazzling or clouding the eyes; to darken the senses or understanding of.

Meaning of 'dim' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . dim [ v]
Meaning (1):
- become vague or indistinct
Example in sentence:
  • The distinction between the two theories blurred
Meaning (2):
- become dim or lusterless
Example in sentence:
  • the lights dimmed and the curtain rose
Meaning (3):
- make dim or lusterless
Example in sentence:
  • Time had dimmed the silver
4 . dim [ a]
Meaning (4):
- made dim or less bright
Example in sentence:
  • dimmed headlights;
  • the dimmed houselights brought a hush of anticipation;
  • we like dimmed lights when we have dinner
5 . dim [ s]
Meaning (5):
- lacking clarity or distinctness
Example in sentence:
  • a dim figure in the distance;
  • a few wispy memories of childhood;
  • only a faint recollection;
  • saw a vague outline of a building through the fog;
  • shadowy figures in the gloom
Meaning (6):
- lacking in light; not bright or harsh
Example in sentence:
  • a dim light beside the bed;
  • subdued lights and soft music
Meaning (7):
- slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
Example in sentence:
  • although dull at classical learning, at mathematics he was uncommonly quick;
  • dumb officials make some really dumb decisions;
  • he was either normally stupid or being deliberately obtuse;
  • never met anyone quite so dim;
  • so dense he never understands anything I say to him;
  • worked with the slow students
Meaning (8):
- offering little or no hope
Example in sentence:
  • Life in the Aran Islands has always been bleak and difficult;
  • prospects were bleak;
  • the future looked black;
  • took a dim view of things