dim
dim /d'ɪm/ (dimmer dimmest dims dimming dimmed)
1 [ADJ]
Dim light is not bright.
She stood waiting, in the dim light...
● dimly [ADV] ADV after v, ADV -ed
He followed her into a dimly lit kitchen.
● dimness [N-UNCOUNT]
...the dimness of an early September evening.
2 [ADJ]
A dim place is rather dark because there is not much light in it.
The room was dim and cool and quiet.
● dimness [N-UNCOUNT]
I squinted to adjust my eyes to the dimness.
3 [ADJ]
A dim figure or object is not very easy to see, either because it is in shadow or darkness, or because it is far away.
Pete's torch picked out the dim figures of Bob and Chang.
= faint
● dimly [ADV] usu ADV with v
The shoreline could be dimly seen.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you have a dim memory or understanding of something, it is difficult to remember or is unclear in your mind.
It seems that the '60s era of social activism is all but a dim memory.
= hazy
● dimly [ADV] ADV with v, ADV adj
Christina dimly recalled the procedure...
5 [ADJ]
If the future of something is dim, you have no reason to feel hopeful or positive about it.
The prospects for a peaceful solution are dim.
≠ bright
6 [ADJ]
If you describe someone as dim, you think that they are stupid. (INFORMAL)
7 [VERB] V n, V
If you dim a light or if it dims, it becomes less bright.
Dim the lighting-it is unpleasant to lie with a bright light shining in your eyes...
The houselights dimmed.
8 [VERB] V, V n
If your future, hopes, or emotions dim or if something dims them, they become less good or less strong.
Their economic prospects have dimmed...
Forty eight years of marriage have not dimmed the passion between Bill and Helen.
9 [VERB] V, V n
If your memories dim or if something dims them, they become less clear in your mind.
Their memory of what happened has dimmed...
The intervening years had dimmed his memory.
10
to take a dim view: see view
1 [ADJ]
Dim light is not bright.
She stood waiting, in the dim light...
● dimly [ADV] ADV after v, ADV -ed
He followed her into a dimly lit kitchen.
● dimness [N-UNCOUNT]
...the dimness of an early September evening.
2 [ADJ]
A dim place is rather dark because there is not much light in it.
The room was dim and cool and quiet.
● dimness [N-UNCOUNT]
I squinted to adjust my eyes to the dimness.
3 [ADJ]
A dim figure or object is not very easy to see, either because it is in shadow or darkness, or because it is far away.
Pete's torch picked out the dim figures of Bob and Chang.
= faint
● dimly [ADV] usu ADV with v
The shoreline could be dimly seen.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you have a dim memory or understanding of something, it is difficult to remember or is unclear in your mind.
It seems that the '60s era of social activism is all but a dim memory.
= hazy
● dimly [ADV] ADV with v, ADV adj
Christina dimly recalled the procedure...
5 [ADJ]
If the future of something is dim, you have no reason to feel hopeful or positive about it.
The prospects for a peaceful solution are dim.
≠ bright
6 [ADJ]
If you describe someone as dim, you think that they are stupid. (INFORMAL)
7 [VERB] V n, V
If you dim a light or if it dims, it becomes less bright.
Dim the lighting-it is unpleasant to lie with a bright light shining in your eyes...
The houselights dimmed.
8 [VERB] V, V n
If your future, hopes, or emotions dim or if something dims them, they become less good or less strong.
Their economic prospects have dimmed...
Forty eight years of marriage have not dimmed the passion between Bill and Helen.
9 [VERB] V, V n
If your memories dim or if something dims them, they become less clear in your mind.
Their memory of what happened has dimmed...
The intervening years had dimmed his memory.
10
to take a dim view: see view