What does "dimness" mean?
The state of being dim.; The state of being poorly illuminated, almost dark.
Dimness
noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The state of being dim.; The state of being poorly illuminated, almost dark.
- Grammar: dimness is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: faintness, adiaphanousness, anemia, ashiness.
- Useful contrasts: angelic glow, blazing glare, blinding.
- Usage evidence: Night was coming on and, to accent the loneliness, from somewhere in the dusky dimness a great foghorn groaned at intervals.
How to use "dimness"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dimness" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "dimness" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "dimness" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "dimness" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "dimness" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "faintness" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "dimness", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The state of being dim.; The state of being poorly illuminated, almost dark. countable, uncountable
"So likewise a day comes when the Runic Thor, with his Eddas, must withdraw into dimness; and many an African Mumbo-Jumbo and Indian Pawpaw be utterly abolished."
- 2 the quality of being dim or lacking contrast wordnet
- 3 The state of being dim.; The state of being dimwitted. countable, uncountable
"Father John was looking from her to her man, to the bundle in the man's arms, and was in danger of forgetting why they were all here. He shook himself awake, ran his fingers through his hair and said to himself, "Boy, huh?" "Girl," said the woman. "Boy, huh?" Old Father John was finally overwhelmed. "Girl," said the woman. "In that case," he said raising his hand in blessing, "I baptise him Jo…" "Amen!" Roared the congregation, eager to speed up the process and get back to why they were here, back to Tomei's baby. The man stared at the priest stunned. Clearly, the old priest had not registered much of anything they had said to him, and it seemed he was not about to. And now, thanks to his dimness, not only were they yet to find the person they were after, but they also had a baby girl named John. The man raised his voice to protest, but his wife silenced him with a smile."
- 4 the property of lights or sounds that lack brilliance or are reduced in intensity wordnet
- 5 the state of being poorly illuminated wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Night was coming on and, to accent the loneliness, from somewhere in the dusky dimness a great foghorn groaned at intervals."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "dimness"?
Common synonyms include: faintness, adiaphanousness, anemia, ashiness, asininity, bad light.
How do you use "dimness" in a sentence?
Night was coming on and, to accent the loneliness, from somewhere in the dusky dimness a great foghorn groaned at intervals.
Etymology
From Middle English dymnes, dymnesse, from Old English dimnes, dymnys, dimness (“dimness, darkness, obscurity”), equivalent to dim + -ness.