dim
dim / dim/ • adj. (dim·mer, dim·mest) 1. (of a light, color, or illuminated object) not shining brightly or clearly: her face was softened by the dim light. ∎ (of an object or shape) made difficult to see by darkness, shade, or distance: a dim figure in the dark kitchen. ∎ (of a room or space) made difficult to see in by darkness: long dim corridors. ∎ (of the eyes) not able to see clearly: his eyes became dim. ∎ (of a sound) indistinct or muffled: the dim drone of their voices. ∎ (of prospects) not giving cause for hope or optimism: their prospects for the future looked pretty dim.2. not clearly recalled or formulated in the mind: she had dim memories of that time the matter was in the dim and distant past. ∎ inf. stupid or slow to understand: you're just incredibly dim.• v. (dimmed, dim·ming) make or become less bright: [tr.] a smoky inferno that dimmed the sun | [intr.] the lights dimmed and the curtains parted. ∎ [tr.] lower (a vehicle's headlights) from high to low beam: [as adj.] (dimmed) the car moved slowly, its headlights dimmed. ∎ make or become less intense or favorable: [tr.] the difficulty in sleeping couldn't dim her happiness | [intr.] the company's prospects have dimmed. ∎ make or become less able to see clearly: [tr.] your sight is dimmed | [intr.] his eyes dimmed. ∎ make or become less clear in the mind: [tr.] his win dimmed the memory of the booing he'd received. PHRASES: take a dim view of regard with disapproval.DERIVATIVES: dim·ly adv.dim·mish adj.dim·ness n.