dim

adjective

ˈdim 

dimmer; dimmest

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

takes a dim view of human nature

3

: dim-witted

too dim to understand the joke

4

: not perceiving clearly and distinctly

dim eyes

dimly adverb

dimmable

ˈdi-mə-bəl 

adjective

dimness noun

Synonyms of dim

• darkened
• dark
• murky

Examples of dim in a Sentence

Just the dim outline of the building could be seen through the fog.

I have a dim memory of your last visit.

Recent Examples on the Web

At 10 feet, the ceiling of The Wilder’s dim drinking den is a perfect playground to practice before the event, tall enough to windmill bar spoons between his fingers, toss vodka skyward and catch bottles behind his back. —Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026

Prospects for a lasting deal between Iran and the US that addresses Washington’s security interests and allows Tehran to prosper are dim because there’s no win-win formula. —Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 4 June 2026

Palatial splendor merges with chalet coziness, particularly in the raclette and charcuterie-heavy Le Coin Savoyard restaurant (one of three in the hotel and four off-site) and in the salons, where sofas and traditional rugs are illuminated by chandeliers and dim sconces. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026

Look for blackened, dim, and flickering bulbs during your inspections and replace those as well. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing dim

• dim bulb
• dim sum
• dim view
• dim-witted
• take a dim view
• takes a dim view
• the dim and distant past

Rhymes for dim

• brim
• clim
• grim
• gym
• him
• hymn
• im
• limb
• mim
• prim
• rim
• scrim

Kids Definition

dim

1 of 2 adjective

ˈdim 

dimmer; dimmest

1

: not bright or clear : obscure, faint

a dim light

2

: being without luster : dull

dim colors

3

a

: not seeing or understanding clearly

dim eyes

b

: not seen or understood clearly

had only a dim notion of what was going on

dimly adverb

dimness noun

dim

2 of 2 verb

dimmed; dimming

1

: to make or become dim

2

: to reduce the light from

Medical Definition

dim

abbreviation

diminished