dimmer

noun

dim·​mer ˈdi-mər 

1

: a device for regulating the intensity of an electric lighting unit

2

: low beam

Examples of dimmer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Either way, as totality deepens and the moon grows dimmer, try increasing magnification and focus on some of the moon’s famous features bathed in red light, such as Tycho crater rays and the rugged Apennine Mountains. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 2 Mar. 2026

Jupiter, Saturn and Venus will be bright and visible to the naked eye but Mercury will be much dimmer. —Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026

Saturn and Venus will be easy to detect with the naked eye, Mercury will be much dimmer, while Neptune is only likely to be seen with a telescope. —Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Feb. 2026

Magriñá suggests installing dimmers on all light switches so homeowners can adjust lighting at different times of day, promoting relaxation before bed and brighter light exposure during the day. —Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dimmer

• dimmer switch

Rhymes for dimmer

• brimmer
• glimmer
• grimmer
• nimmer
• rimmer
• shimmer
• simmer
• skimmer
• slimmer
• swimmer
• timmer
• trimmer

Kids Definition

dimmer

noun

dim·​mer ˈdim-ər 

1

: a device for controlling the amount of light from an electric lighting unit (as the headlights of an automobile or the lights of a room)

2

: low beam