# dimmer

/ˈdɪmɝ/ (US) · /dˈɪmɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dimmer
Updated: 2026-10-13

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.