dim
English meaning: Dim
Definition
Not giving or having much light; faint or unclear.
Example
“The room was too dim to read in.”
Another example: “She took a rather dim view of his constant excuses.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Everyday and neutral; describes light that is faint or weak ('a dim light', 'a dimly lit room'). Figuratively it can mean unpromising ('a dim future') or, informally and rudely, not clever. As a verb, 'dim the lights' means to lower them.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'dimm' (dark, gloomy).
Related Words
Common Collocations
- dim light
- dimly lit
- grow dim
- dim view
- dim the lights
Word Forms
dim (adj); dimmer; dimmest; dim (v); dimmed; dimming; dimly (adv)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
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