Word
dimmer
Phoneticsdim·mer, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɪmɝ/
UK/dˈɪmɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small control that makes a light brighter or less bright. You turn it or slide it to change how much light you want in a room.
n. a device that varies the brightness of an electric light, typically by adjusting voltage or current. Commonly installed as a wall switch or built into a lamp.
Examples
“We use the dimmer to soften the bedroom light.”
“She turns the dimmer down low for movie night so the living room feels like a small cinema.”
“The restaurant installed dimmers above each booth, allowing staff to lower the glow gradually as the evening shifted from busy dinner service to quiet conversation.”
Examples
simple
“We use the dimmer to soften the bedroom light.”
contextual
“She turns the dimmer down low for movie night so the living room feels like a small cinema.”
complex
“The restaurant installed dimmers above each booth, allowing staff to lower the glow gradually as the evening shifted from busy dinner service to quiet conversation.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dimmer” in context.
Verb
01. adjust dimmer
“She reached for the wall to adjust the dimmer as the sun went down.”
verb + noun
02. dimmer buzzes
“If the dimmer buzzes, it might be overloaded or incompatible with the bulbs.”
noun + verb
03. dimmer controls
“The dimmer controls the intensity of the overhead halogen lamps.”
noun + verb
04. install dimmer
“We decided to install a dimmer in the dining room to create a better atmosphere.”
verb + noun
05. rotate dimmer
“Gently rotate the dimmer clockwise to increase the brightness.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. electronic dimmer
“Modern electronic dimmers are much more energy-efficient than older models.”
adj + noun
07. rotary dimmer
“He turned the rotary dimmer to lower the lights for the movie.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. dimmer switch
“The electrician replaced the standard light toggle with a new dimmer switch.”
noun + noun
09. operate via a dimmer
“These LED bulbs are specifically designed to operate via a dimmer.”
10. slide the dimmer up
“You can slide the dimmer up to make the room bright enough for reading.”
Real-World Examples
“Swapping a standard light switch with a smart dimmer “is generally one of the easier electrical projects,” says John Finney, a retired industrial electrician and electrical engineer who runs a YouTube channel with advice on DIY electrical work.” “If the space requires a change in brightness to improve luminous comfort, then a dimmer can be used and the lighting adjusted to the desired level.” “Jon suggested installing smart dimmer switches to replace my existing wall switches.” “With this Matter-certified dimmer, GE Lighting discovers it doesn’t need umpteen buttons to leverage the features of other GE Cync smart lighting devices.” Etymology
From dim (verb) + -er.
From dim (adjective) + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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