dimness

USAGE SUMMARY

'dimness' is a correct word in English and can be used in written English.
It is an abstract noun and is used to describe a lack of light, brightness, or clarity. Example sentence: The dimness of the moon cast a silvery light on the lake.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In any case, both will use the same new technique multiple spacecraft looking at stars from slightly different angles.At the moment, the obstacle to photographing exoplanets is not the dimness of the planet, but the brightness of the accompanying star, which drowns the planet's light.

The Economist

Little wonder, then, that 3D films have earned a reputation for dimness and causing eyestrain.

The Economist

Combining the equations means that the value of the constant should emerge automatically, so long as the other variables in the mathematics (the X-ray brightness and the microwave dimness) have been measured accurately.Testing this idea, which was worked out in 1972, has had to wait until microwave and X-ray telescopes became good enough to gather the necessary data.

The Economist

Take the number of MPs who represent the governing party in the House of Commons; subtract those unsuited to government office because of their views, age, disposition or dimness; and there aren't too many left to fill the 100-odd posts at the prime minister's disposal.

The Economist

They muttered about his fortune (£1.6 billion, by some estimates), his gaming and horse-racing, his pretty young mistresses, his self-declared "dimness", and all the usual failings of the English upper classes.

The Economist

Churches, he thought, should be designed for seeing and hearing no dimness, no murmuring.

The Economist

This relies on objects known as standard candles, in other words things whose absolute brightness is known for some reason, and whose distance can thus be calculated from their dimness.

The Economist

What if there's a label for this kind of dimness?

Independent

And I don't see how Mangan, with his honking toff's laugh and his lovely aura of benign dimness and noblesse oblige, could be bettered as Bertie.

Independent

There must be mornings when he wakes, reads the papers and despairs of the dimness and credulity of the human race.

Independent

We stood in the aisle, put our hands on our hips, looked around at the grand old palace glowing in the dimness, and felt-well, good.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, use "dimness" to evoke a specific mood or atmosphere. For example, "The dimness of the room created a sense of mystery."

Common error

Avoid using "dimness" in highly technical or scientific writing where precise measurements of light intensity are required. Instead, opt for more specific terms like "low luminance" or "reduced irradiance".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dimness" is as a noun, typically describing the state or quality of being dim. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe the amount of light in a room or the visibility of celestial objects. Ludwig AI confirms its status as an abstract noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dimness" functions as a noun that describes a state of reduced light or obscurity. Ludwig AI confirms it's a valid and commonly used word in the English language. Examples provided by Ludwig show that it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While grammatically straightforward, careful consideration should be given to the specific context to avoid overuse or misapplication, particularly in technical writing, where more precise terminology might be appropriate. Related phrases like "low light" and "faint light" can provide alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low light

This term focuses on the reduced intensity of light, making it a direct synonym in contexts where luminosity is key.

faint light

Emphasizes the weakness or lack of intensity of the light.

poor lighting

Describes a situation where the lighting is inadequate or insufficient.

semi-darkness

Indicates a state of partial darkness, where some light is present but significantly reduced.

subdued light

Focuses on the reduced or softened quality of light, often implying a gentle or muted illumination.

murkiness

Refers to a dark, gloomy, or obscure atmosphere, extending beyond just light to overall visibility.

obscurity

Implies a lack of clarity or distinctness, where details are difficult to discern due to insufficient light.

gloominess

Conveys a sense of darkness mixed with a feeling of depression or sadness.

shadowiness

Highlights the presence of shadows, suggesting a reduction in light due to an obstruction.

haziness

Indicates a lack of clarity due to atmospheric particles or other obstructions, affecting light and visibility.

FAQs

How can I use "dimness" in a sentence?

You can use "dimness" to describe a state of low light or obscurity, such as "The "dimness of the room" made it hard to see" or "The "dimness of the stars" required a powerful telescope".

What words are similar to "dimness"?

Synonyms for "dimness" include "low light", "faint light", "obscurity", and "gloominess", each carrying slightly different connotations related to reduced light or visibility.

Is it correct to use "dimness" to describe a person's intelligence?

While "dimness" primarily refers to a lack of light, it can be used figuratively to describe a lack of intelligence or understanding. However, this usage might be considered informal or even offensive; using words like "lack of intelligence" or "unintelligent" is generally more appropriate.

What is the difference between "dimness" and "darkness"?

"Dimness" implies a reduced level of light, whereas "darkness" suggests a complete or near-complete absence of light. "Dimness" is a state between light and "darkness".