noun
dimmer
DIH-muh
Dimmer (noun) means a switch or dial that adjusts the brightness of an electric light. Example: “They installed a dimmer so they could lower the dining room lights.”
noun
1
A switch or dial that adjusts the brightness of an electric light.
"They installed a dimmer so they could lower the dining room lights."
2
North American term for the switch that toggles a car's headlights between low and high beam.
"He tapped the dimmer to drop his headlights to low beam for oncoming traffic."
How to use dimmer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA control that lowers the brightness of a light, whether in a house or a car.
UK vs US
In the UK this car-light switch is usually called a "dip switch" rather than a "dimmer".
Common pairings
dimmer switch
install a dimmer
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Word forms
- Plural
- dimmers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They installed a _____ so they could lower the dining room lights.
Etymology
From "dim" plus the agent suffix "-er".
Rhymes for dimmer
See all rhymes for dimmer →Frequently asked questions
What does “dimmer” mean?
The word “dimmer” means a switch or dial that adjusts the brightness of an electric light. In plain terms, a control that lowers the brightness of a light, whether in a house or a car.
How do you pronounce “dimmer”?
“Dimmer” is pronounced DIH-muh (/ˈdɪmɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dimmer” in a sentence?
Here is “dimmer” used in a sentence: “They installed a dimmer so they could lower the dining room lights.”
What part of speech is “dimmer”?
“Dimmer” is a noun.
How many meanings does “dimmer” have?
“Dimmer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a switch or dial that adjusts the brightness of an electric light.
