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

The Orionid meteor shower will unfold against a pristinely dark, moonless sky — unlike the Perseids, whose August peak was somewhat ruined by the light cast by a waning gibbous moon that hid dimmer members of the shower from view. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2025

These satellites will reflect light roughly 15,000 times dimmer than the midday sun but remain brighter than a full moon. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025

When opting for a single pendant or simple chandelier, designer Lauren Lowe of Lauren Elaine Interiors suggests a dimmer for more diffused lighting distribution. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025

While our villa had not been recently refreshed, the only telltale sign was the excessively large switches and dimmers trailing up the walls. —Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025

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