dimmer Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun a rheostat that varies the current through an electric light in order to control the level of illumination
   
2. adjective satellite lacking in light; not bright or harsh
   dim; subdued.
   
   • a dim light beside the bed
   • subdued lights and soft music
3. adjective satellite lacking clarity or distinctness
   dim; shadowy; faint; vague; wispy.
   
   • a dim figure in the distance
   • only a faint recollection
   • shadowy figures in the gloom
   • saw a vague outline of a building through the fog
   • a few wispy memories of childhood
4. adjective made dim or less bright
   dim; dimmed.
   
   • the dimmed houselights brought a hush of anticipation
   • dimmed headlights
   • we like dimmed lights when we have dinner
5. adjective satellite offering little or no hope
   dim; black; bleak.
   
   • the future looked black
   • prospects were bleak
   • Life in the Aran Islands has always been bleak and difficult"- J.M.Synge
   • took a dim view of things
6. adjective satellite slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
   dim; slow; dense; dumb; obtuse; dull.
   
   • so dense he never understands anything I say to him
   • never met anyone quite so dim
   • although dull at classical learning, at mathematics he was uncommonly quick"- Thackeray
   • dumb officials make some really dumb decisions
   • he was either normally stupid or being deliberately obtuse
   • worked with the slow students

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