dim
dim — adjective
1. describing a space or area where there is not enough light to see well, because
describing a space or area where there is not enough light to see well, because only weak bulbs are used or because the sun is going down.
The basement was so dim that Nora could not read the labels on the boxes.
so dim that + result clause
A single dim lamp stood on the desk in the corner of the study.
dim + lamp / light / bulb (attributive)
Mayumi walked home through the dim streets of the old town after the festival.
The lights in the cinema grew dim as the previews began to play on screen.
文法句型
dim + noun (lamp/room/street)
be + dim
linking verb + dim (grow/seem/look)
用法筆記
Often used with linking verbs like 'grow', 'seem', or 'look'. When an adverb is needed, use 'dimly': 'a dimly lit room'.
常見錯誤
2. describing eyesight that is weak or unclear, especially when caused by getting o
describing eyesight that is weak or unclear, especially when caused by getting older, being very tired, or having a health condition that affects your eyes.
Roya rubbed her eyes, which felt dim after a long night of studying.
eyes + be / feel + dim
As her grandmother aged, her vision grew dim and she needed large-print books.
vision / sight + grow dim
The old fisherman's dim eyes could not make out the shape on the horizon.
Without her reading glasses, the newspaper print looked dim and blurry.
文法句型
eyes + be + dim
vision / sight + grow dim
用法筆記
Typically used of a person's eyes or vision, not of an object. Distinguish from sense 1: here 'dim' describes sight, not the light level in a room.
常見錯誤
3. describes a memory, image, or idea that you can only recall in an unclear or inc
describes a memory, image, or idea that you can only recall in an unclear or incomplete way, as if the details have faded over time.
Zola had only a dim memory of the beach holiday from her early childhood.
a dim memory / recollection / impression of
Tamar had only a dim impression of the woman at the bus stop.
dim impression / dim sense
The conversation details grew dim in João's mind as the weeks passed by.
I have a dim recollection of my uncle's farm from when I was about six.
文法句型
a dim + memory / recollection / impression of + noun/-ing
grow dim in one's mind
用法筆記
Almost always appears with 'memory', 'recollection', or 'impression'. Not used with concrete nouns like 'table' or 'house' — you would say 'a dim memory of a house', not 'a dim house'.
常見錯誤
4. slow at understanding or learning things that most people find easy; not natural
slow at understanding or learning things that most people find easy; not naturally quick in thinking.
The other kids teased Christopher for being a bit dim in maths lessons.
a bit / rather / very + dim (degree adverb)
His dim cousin could not work the TV remote however often he was shown.
dim (attributive before noun)
People thought James was dim because he barely spoke, but his essays showed sharp thinking.
Nobody called the assistant dim to his face, but the nickname spread around the office.
- dull
similar meaning but slightly old-fashioned
- slow
gentler than 'dim'; often used more politely
- dim-witted
common compound form; slightly less harsh than 'dim' alone
文法句型
be + dim
a bit / rather / very + dim
call + person + dim
用法筆記
Informal and can be insulting. The compound 'dim-witted' is common and slightly less harsh than calling someone 'dim' alone. Avoid in formal or polite contexts.
常見錯誤
5. describing the future, chances, or situation of someone or something as unlikely
describing the future, chances, or situation of someone or something as unlikely to improve or succeed.
The team's chances of winning the championship looked dim after their star player got hurt.
chances / prospects + look / seem dim
With the local economy struggling, the future of the small bakery seemed dim.
future / outlook + seem dim
Prospects for peace in the region remained dim after months of failed talks.
Job prospects in the mining town grew dim when the pit closed for good.
文法句型
chances / prospects + look / seem dim
future / outlook + grow dim
dim + prospects / chances / future
用法筆記
Subject is almost always an abstract noun such as 'chances', 'prospects', 'future', or 'outlook'. Cannot describe a concrete object — you would not say 'a dim job'.
常見錯誤
dim — adverb
1. a short way of writing 'diminuendo' in sheet music, telling the musician to make
a short way of writing 'diminuendo' in sheet music, telling the musician to make the sound gradually softer and quieter.
The conductor wrote 'dim.' above the final bars so the violins would fade out softly.
dim. in sheet music notation
When the score says 'dim.', the whole orchestra must reduce its volume little by little.
dim. = diminuendo (gradually softer)
The pianist saw the marking 'dim.' and let her fingers lighten on the keys.
Students who ignore 'dim.' in the music will miss the soft ending the composer intended.
Music examiners check whether candidates follow written markings such as 'dim.' and 'cresc.'.
- cresc.
abbreviation for crescendo — the opposite instruction, meaning gradually louder
文法句型
dim. (written abbreviation in sheet music)
用法筆記
Appears only in printed or handwritten musical scores as an instruction. Not used in speech or general writing. The full Italian word 'diminuendo' is used when speaking.
常見錯誤
dim — verb
1. to make a source of light weaker, or for a light to become weaker on its own — f
to make a source of light weaker, or for a light to become weaker on its own — for example, when you turn a switch or when a flame runs out of fuel.
Tariro dimmed the bedroom lights and sat down with a novel before bed.
dim + light / lamp (transitive)
The candle flame dimmed as the wax pool in the holder grew shallow.
dim (intransitive — flame / light)
The driver dimmed his headlights when the oncoming car flashed its high beams.
The screen of her phone dimmed automatically in the dark room to save power.
文法句型
dim + noun (light / lamp / headlights / screen)
dim (intransitive — flame / light / screen)
用法筆記
Can be used transitively (someone dims a light) or intransitively (a light dims). The transitive sense is more common in everyday instructions and driving contexts.
常見錯誤
2. describes how a good feeling, such as hope, trust, or enthusiasm, can lose its s
describes how a good feeling, such as hope, trust, or enthusiasm, can lose its strength gradually — either because something causes it to weaken or because it fades away on its own over time.
Hope of reaching the finals dimmed after the team lost three games in a row.
hope / enthusiasm + dim (intransitive, figurative)
Years of broken promises had dimmed any trust the villagers still had in the council.
dim + faith / trust / hope (transitive, figurative)
Even the rainy weather could not dim the excitement Hao felt about starting his new job.
His passion for guitar dimmed as work and family took up his evenings.
- kindle
formal or literary; to start or strengthen a feeling
- rekindle
to bring back a feeling that had grown weak
- strengthen
neutral; to make a feeling stronger
文法句型
dim + noun (hope / enthusiasm / faith / excitement)
dim (intransitive — feeling / interest)
用法筆記
The subject or object is always an abstract positive quality: hope, faith, enthusiasm, excitement, trust, passion, or interest. This sense does not apply to negative feelings like anger or fear.