Dimness: meaning, definitions and examples

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dimness

[ˈdɪmnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

low light conditions

The state or quality of being dim; lack of brightness, clearness, or distinctness.

Synonyms

darkness, gloom, obscurity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dimness	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	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	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	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

Examples of usage

The dimness of the room made it difficult to read.
The dimness of the streetlights created a spooky atmosphere at night.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

lack of intelligence or understanding

Lack of intelligence or understanding; dullness of mind.

Synonyms

foolishness, ignorance, stupidity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dimness	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
stupidity	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
ignorance	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
foolishness	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

Examples of usage

His dimness in math resulted in poor grades.
The student's dimness in grasping the concept led to confusion.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

fuzziness or lack of clarity

The quality of being indistinct and blurred.

Synonyms

blurriness, indistinctness, vagueness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dimness	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
blurriness	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
indistinctness	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
vagueness	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

Examples of usage

The dimness of the photograph made it hard to identify the subjects.
The dimness of his memory prevented him from recalling the details.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'dym,' meaning 'to make dark or obscure.'
It has connections to the Middle Dutch term 'dimmer,' which also relates to low light or unclear vision.
Similar words like 'dimming' derived from the idea of reducing light or brightness.

Psychology

Research shows that dim lighting can create a sense of intimacy and encourage closer conversations.
Studies indicate that people might feel more relaxed and reflective in dimly lit environments.
Low light settings can stimulate the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep.

Art and Literature

Many artists use dimness in their paintings to evoke mood, using shadows to create depth and intrigue.
In literature, dimness often symbolizes mystery, uncertainty, or foreboding in narratives.
Famous writers have described dimly lit scenes to symbolize characters’ inner struggles or emotional turmoil.

Nature

Dimness can be observed in nature during twilight when the sun is below the horizon, creating beautiful, soft lighting.
Certain animals, like owls, thrive in dimness, as they have adapted to see better in low-light conditions.
Many plants, known as shade-tolerant species, flourish under the dim light of tree canopies.

Cultural Perspectives

In many cultures, dimly lit rooms are associated with comfort and relaxation, often seen in tea houses and lounges.
Dimness in some religious practices can signify meditation and introspection, encouraging a connection to the divine.
Candlelit dinners are a popular tradition, symbolizing romance and the beauty of dim light in creating a loving atmosphere.

Translations

Translations of the word "dimness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escuridão

🇮🇳 अंधेरा

🇩🇪 Dunkelheit

🇮🇩 kegelapan

🇺🇦 темрява

🇵🇱 ciemność

🇯🇵 暗闇

🇫🇷 obscurité

🇪🇸 oscuridad

🇹🇷 karanlık

🇰🇷 어둠

🇸🇦 ظلام

🇨🇿 temnota

🇸🇰 temnota

🇨🇳 黑暗

🇸🇮 tema

🇮🇸 myrkur

🇰🇿 қараңғылық

🇬🇪 სიბნელე

🇦🇿 qaranlıq

🇲🇽 oscuridad

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,712, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
25709 insufferable
25710 overstatement
25711 throttling
25712 dimness
25713 cushioning
25714 officialdom
25715 impelling
...