dimly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dimly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a faint or blurry appearance. For example: "The distant figures were dimly visible in the darkness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then a rested Portland welcome the Galaxy, with both sides possibly dimly aware that now might be a good time to turn on the afterburners as the playoff race continues to tighten.

The Guardian - Sport

Just after 1am inside Sofia University, a handful of young people are spray painting protest banners in a dimly lit corridor.

The Guardian

I dimly recall hiring a rowing boat two decades ago, and getting about 200 metres along the coast in it before giving up and deciding to head back.

The Guardian - Travel

Spero's first mature work featured dimly discerned figures swimming in the black amniotic fluid of her darkest imagining.

The Guardian - Arts

At night, the grounds are deliberately dimly lit.

The Guardian - Travel

It's a whole seven days ago, but you may dimly remember it.

The Guardian

Sellafield seemed a benign Toytown below us and the Isle of Man floated dimly in a misty sleep.

The Guardian - Travel

It was a mid-autumn evening, cold and dimly lit by opalescent streetlamps.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some can dimly remember the terrible accident - the last election - which brought them here.

The Guardian

Dimly, yes.

The Guardian

On an earthen floor in a dimly lit home in Bangladesh it can be a killer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dimly" to describe situations where light is weak or vision is obscured, but also when referring to a vague or incomplete understanding of something.

Common error

Avoid using "dimly" when you intend to describe something sinister or ominous. While "dimly" suggests a lack of light or clarity, "darkly" conveys a sense of foreboding or evil.

Linguistic Context

"Dimly" functions primarily as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a state exists. It specifies a quality of being faint, obscure, or not clearly perceived. Ludwig examples showcase its role in depicting lighting or understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dimly" is a versatile adverb primarily used to describe a state of reduced light or a lack of clarity in understanding. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and its prevalence is notably high across various sources, especially within News & Media. While alternatives like "faintly" or "obscurely" exist, "dimly" uniquely captures the essence of reduced visibility or perception. When writing, consider "dimly" to add depth to descriptions involving obscured light or incomplete comprehension. However, be careful not to confuse it with "darkly", which carries a different, more ominous connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indistinctly

Emphasizes the lack of clear definition or boundaries, unlike "dimly" which can also refer to light levels.

murkily

Suggests a dark and unclear quality, often associated with liquids or atmospheres, similar to "dimly" in describing obscured vision.

faintly

Indicates a weaker degree of intensity or clarity compared to "dimly".

vaguely

Implies a lack of precision or detail in memory or perception, broader than "dimly's" specific connotations.

blurrily

Specifically refers to a lack of sharpness or focus, distinct from "dimly's" wider range of meanings.

obscurely

Suggests something is not easily understood or clearly expressed, differing from "dimly's" focus on visual or sensory perception.

poorly

Describes a deficient quality, which can apply to lighting or understanding, offering a broader scope than "dimly".

weakly

Describes a lack of strength or intensity, which can apply to light but is more general than "dimly".

opaquely

Focuses on the inability to see through something, whereas "dimly" describes the quality of light or perception.

partially

Indicates something is only partly visible or understood, differing from "dimly's" implication of a specific type of obscured perception.

FAQs

How can I use "dimly" in a sentence?

"Dimly" is an adverb that can describe lighting conditions or a lack of understanding. For example: "The room was "dimly lit"" or "I "dimly recall" the events of that night."

What words can I use instead of "dimly"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "faintly", "obscurely", or "indistinctly".

Is it correct to say "dimly lit"?

Yes, ""dimly lit"" is a common and correct phrase used to describe a place with poor or weak lighting.

What's the difference between "dimly" and "faintly"?

Both words suggest a lack of intensity, but ""faintly"" often implies a weaker or more subtle presence, while "dimly" specifically relates to a lack of light or visual clarity.