Dimness: meaning, definitions and examples

Dimness is often used to describe a low level of light, typically where visibility is reduced but not completely dark. It suggests a softer reduction of light rather than total absence.

• The dimness in the room made it hard to read
• As the evening approached, the dimness set in

Darkness refers to the complete or near-complete absence of light. It is often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts to describe the complete lack of light or hope.

• The cave was shrouded in complete darkness
• Metaphorically, he felt a sense of darkness after losing his job

Obscurity refers to the state of being unknown, unclear, or difficult to see or understand. It can be used to describe something hidden from view or something that is not well-known.

• The details of the plan remain in obscurity
• The house was lost in the obscurity of the forest

Gloom describes a situation with poor light, often combined with a sense of sadness, melancholy, or foreboding. It carries a negative emotional connotation.

• The constant rain filled the city with gloom
• He couldn't shake the feeling of gloom that hung over him

This word is best used when talking about low light levels or lack of clarity in visibility.

• The dimness of the room made it hard to read
• The dimness of the fog obscured the road

Best used to describe extreme lack of intelligence or common sense. It has a strong negative connotation.

• His stupidity led him to make terrible decisions
• Calling someone out for their stupidity can hurt their feelings

Used when discussing a lack of knowledge or awareness about a specific subject.

• His ignorance about computer science was evident
• Ignorance of the law is not an excuse

This term is suitable when describing someone's lack of good sense or judgment in a lighthearted or mildly critical way.

• His foolishness got him into trouble again
• She laughed at her own foolishness for forgetting the keys

Used when referring to low light conditions or something that is not bright.

• The room was filled with dimness due to the heavy curtains
• She fumbled in the dimness of the attic

Used to describe something that is not clear to the eye, often due to poor focus or vision issues.

• He complained about blurriness in his vision after staring at the screen for too long
• The blurriness of the photo made it hard to identify the subject

Used when something is not clearly defined or easily recognizable.

• The indistinctness of the sounds in the distance made it hard to tell what was happening
• Her voice was lost in the indistinctness of the crowd’s chatter

Used when something lacks clarity or detail, often in thoughts, explanations, or communication. May have a negative connotation.

• His vagueness about the plan left everyone feeling uncertain
• The vagueness of her description made it hard to picture what she meant