- dim
- 1
adjective dimmer, dimmest
1 DARK fairly dark or not giving much light, so that you cannot see well: in the dim light of the early dawn2 SHAPE a dim shape is one which is not easy to see because it is too far away, or there is not enough light: The dim outline of a large building loomed up out of the mist.3 EYES literary dim eyes are weak and cannot see well: The dim eyes of the old woman were surprisingly attractive.4 dim recollection/awareness etc a memory or understanding of something that is not clear in your mind; vague (2): Laura had a dim recollection of someone telling her this before.5 future chances if your chances of success in the future are dim, they are not good: Prospects for an early settlement of the dispute are dim.6 in the dim and distant past humorous a very long time ago7 take a dim view of to disapprove of something: We took a dim view of his disobedience.8 UNINTELLIGENT informal especially BrE not intelligent: You can be really dim sometimes!— dimly adverb: a dimly lit room | She was only dimly aware of the risk. — dimness noun (U) 2 verb dimmed, dimming1 (I, T) if a light dims, or if you dim it, it becomes less bright: The lights in the theatre began to dim.2 (I, T) if a feeling or quality dims or is dimmed, it grows weaker: Her beauty had not dimmed over the years. | His words dimmed our hopes of a peaceful settlement.3 dim your headlights/lights AmE to lower the angle of the front lights of your car, especially when someone is driving towards you; dip 1 (3) BrE
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.