dimmer

American  

[dim-er] / ˈdɪm ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that dims.

2. Also called dimmer switch.  a rheostat or similar device by which the intensity of an electric light may be varied.

3. dimmers,

   1. the low-beam headlights of an automobile or truck.

   2. the small, parking lights of an automobile.

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dimmer British  

/ ˈdɪmə /

noun

1. a device, such as a rheostat, for varying the current through an electric light and thus changing the illumination

2. (often plural)

   1. a dipped headlight on a road vehicle

   2. a parking light on a car

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Etymology

Origin of dimmer

First recorded in 1815–25; dim + -er ¹

Example Sentences

"It's not a binary on/off effect; it can be a scaled response, like a dimmer, depending on the light you shine on it," she said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

Hopes for interest-rate cuts are growing even dimmer on Wall Street.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

The litigation comes as the public has taken a dimmer view of social media, particularly for young people.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

But with the impending sale of Warner — whether its the whole company to Paramount or the studios, HBO and HBO Max to Netflix — that picture could become even dimmer.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025

We walked farther down the beach, the light growing dimmer.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Related Words

• blurred
• cloudy
• dark
• dingy
• dull
• faint
• fuzzy
• gloomy
• lackluster
• murky
• shadowy
• vague