Main Entry: ¹dim

Pronunciation: \ˈdim\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): dim·mer; dim·mest

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English dimm; akin to Old High German timber dark

Date: before 12th century

1 a : emitting or having a limited or insufficient amount of light <dim stars> <a dim lamp> <a dim hallway> b : dull, lusterless <dim colors> c : lacking pronounced, clear-cut, or vigorous quality or character <a dim echo of the past>
2 a : seen indistinctly <a dim outline> b : perceived by the senses or mind indistinctly or weakly : faint <had only a dim notion of what was going on> c : having little prospect of favorable result or outcome <a dim future> d : characterized by an unfavorable, skeptical, or pessimistic attitude —usually used in the phrase take a dim view of
3 : not perceiving clearly and distinctly <dim eyes>
4 : dim-witted

— dim·ly adverb

— dim·ma·ble \ˈdi-mə-bəl\ adjective

— dim·ness noun