dimmer

noun

dim·​mer ˈdi-mər 

1

: a device for regulating the intensity of an electric lighting unit

2

: low beam

Examples of dimmer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The key to getting the lighting right in a dining room is not to rely on a single source of light, but create a layered lighting design that includes an overhead light as well as other fixtures such as a table lamp on a buffet or picture lights mounted over artwork, or using dimmers. —Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 19 Apr. 2026

To the lower right of Sirius is Mirzam, a dimmer but distinct star that marks the hound’s elevated paw. —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026

Article continues below Star clusters and dimmer nebulas are visible threaded through the galactic plane, while the Large Magellanic Cloud — a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way — appears as a hazy patch of light to the bottom right of the shot. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 8 Apr. 2026

High albedo, usually for the moon, means bright areas, and low albedo refers to dimmer locations, Gross said. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dimmer

• dimmer switch

Rhymes for dimmer

• brimmer
• glimmer
• grimmer
• nimmer
• rimmer
• shimmer
• simmer
• skimmer
• slimmer
• swimmer
• timmer
• trimmer

Kids Definition

dimmer

noun

dim·​mer ˈdim-ər 

1

: a device for controlling the amount of light from an electric lighting unit (as the headlights of an automobile or the lights of a room)

2

: low beam