 |
| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: |
| |||||||||
dim1
comparative dimmer, superlative dimmest
comparative dimmer, superlative dimmest1 fairly dark or not giving much light, so that you cannot see well [≠ bright]: in the dim light of the early dawn a dim glow
dark
in the dim light of the early dawna dim glow2 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 building loomed up out of the mist.
shape
The dim outline of a building loomed up out of the mist.3 to disapprove of something : Miss Watson took a dim view of Paul's behaviour.
take a dim view of something
Miss Watson took a dim view of Paul's behaviour.4 a memory or understanding of something that is not clear in your mind [= vague]: Laura had a dim recollection of someone telling her this before.
dim recollection/awareness etc
Laura had a dim recollection of someone telling her this before.5 dim eyes are weak and cannot see well : Isaac was old and his eyes were dim.
eyes
literaryIsaac was old and his eyes were dim.6 if your chances of success in the future are dim, they are not good : Prospects for an early settlement of the dispute are dim.
future chances
Prospects for an early settlement of the dispute are dim.8 not intelligent : You can be really dim sometimes!
not intelligent
informalYou can be really dim sometimes! —dimly adverb: a dimly lit room She was only dimly aware of the risk.
a dimly lit roomShe was only dimly aware of the risk. —dimness noun [uncountable]
