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dim

dim

28 6.5
Slow to understand and not quick to learn
  • adjective
  • /dɪm/
  • Offensive
translation icon : tonto
  • Her husband is sweet, but he's a bit dim.
  • dim-witted

So David, I can the people who believe in this stuff because apparently people are dim.

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Examples

  • Well said, my dim brother.

  • My son wants to be like my dim-witted brother.

  • Was he really that dim, or did he just let people think he was?

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Dominic's the dim one on the island, isn't he?

  • What had happened to the easy-going, dim-witted city of his youth?

    Fiction book (2002)
  • I really wanted things to work out for you, my weaselly, dim-witted friend.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Small, bony, ill-clad, dim of mind, and obviously distraught, my nephew climbed onto the barstool next to mine.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Her husband is sweet, but he's a bit dim.

  • Dominic's the dim one on the island, isn't he?

  • I sometimes feel stupid, as if I am just a dim person.

Synonyms

dumb
vsdim
  • Offensive
945 3.2

Not able to understand or learn things quickly

is milder and more neutral focusing on slowness not harsh insult
slow
vsdim
  • Offensive
297 4.4

Not quick to learn or understand things

is used for basic slowness rather than implying low intelligence
simple
vsdim
  • Offensive
138 8.1

Not smart or quick to understand

focuses more on slow understanding rather than missing subtlety
thick
vsdim
  • Offensive
41 8.2

Not very smart and slow to understand

is the neutral adjective used to describe slow understanding without slang
dense
vsdim
  • Offensive
24 6.8

Slow to understand what others explain

is a more general word describing slow understanding rather than harsh insult
dull
vsdim
  • Offensive
19 2.8

Slow to notice or react to things

is focused on quickness and alertness rather than direct stupidity
simple-minded
vsdim
  • Offensive
16 7.1

Not very intelligent and too naive about complex things

emphasizes slowness of understanding rather than naivety or lack of sophistication
obtuse
vsdim
  • Offensive
14 7.4

Slow to understand what other people mean

is about plain slowness rather than lacking sharpness of mind
witless
vsdim
  • Offensive
9 6.8

Not showing good sense or judgment

focuses more on slow understanding rather than foolish actions
dim-witted
vsdim
  • Offensive
6 5.6

Not quick to understand or learn

is the shorter adjective for the same lack of quick understanding
dimwitted
vsdim
  • Offensive
6 5.3

Not very smart and slow to understand things

is the shorter adjective for the same lack of quick understanding
thickheaded
vsdim
  • Offensive
4 7.9

Slow to understand simple ideas or instructions

is the more general descriptive word focusing on slowness not blunt insult
slow-witted
vsdim
  • Offensive
3 6.7

Not quick to understand or think

is the simple descriptive form for slow understanding rather than stronger insult
half-witted
vsdim
  • Offensive
2 7.5

Showing very little sense or intelligence

is used for ordinary slow understanding rather than very strong stupidity
doltish
vsdim
  • Offensive
1 9.3

Not very smart and acting in a foolish way

is a more neutral description of slow understanding without behavior
gormless
vsdim
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Someone who is not smart and slow to understand

is the neutral term for slow understanding without lack of energy
thick-skulled
vsdim
  • Offensive
1 8.1

Not quick to understand or learn new things

is a plain description of slowness without implying stubbornness
beef-witted
vsdim
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Slow to understand things and often acting foolishly

is the simple neutral word for slow understanding rather than archaic phrasing
1 9.9

A person who is not very quick to understand things

is a direct adjective for slowness rather than a joking phrase
soft-witted
vsdim
  • Offensive
8.8

A person who is slow to understand and easily fooled

is the plain word concentrating on slowness rather than poor judgment
duncish
vsdim
  • Offensive
9.9

Slow to understand things and often acting foolishly

is the standard neutral term for slow understanding rather than playful insult
thicky
vsdim
  • Offensive
9.9

A rude name for a person who is slow to understand

is a more neutral description of slow understanding not primarily insulting
thickish
vsdim
  • Offensive
7.9

A little slow to understand things

expresses plain slowness without the mildness tag
dumb as a doornail
vsdim
  • Offensive
8.9

Very foolish or not showing any reaction

is milder referring to simple slowness rather than extreme stupidity
nitwitted
vsdim
  • Offensive
8.4

Not very smart and likely to make poor choices

is a straightforward label for slow understanding without dismissal
dullish
vsdim
  • Offensive
5.8

Slow to understand things

is the plain word for slowness not only slight lack of sharpness
low-thoughted
vsdim
  • Offensive
9.9

Showing little intelligence and only simple ideas

is about simple slowness rather than shallow thinking or superficiality
gaumless
vsdim
  • Offensive
9.9

Slow to understand or act because they are tired

is mainly about mental slowness rather than physical sluggishness

Not very quick to understand things

is a direct adjective for slowness rather than a joking phrase

Antonyms

507 3.4

Able to think, understand, and learn new things

4 4.8

Able to think and give smart fast answers

Idioms

To not approve of something

Compounds

12 3.5

A meal of small Chinese dishes served with tea

5 5.1

A bad opinion of someone or something

1 2.6

A soft, low light that is not very bright

7.2

A hope that seems unlikely to come true

Unable to see things clearly because you have weak eyes

nice-but-dim
  • Offensive
9.2

Pleasant and friendly but not very smart

How Smart

brilliant
949 3.7
smart
1.9
average
1.0
dim
  • Offensive
28 6.5
stupid
  • Offensive
1.0

Surface Forms

dim positive
dimmer comparative
dimmest superlative

Etymology

A helpful way to remember dim for a person is to think of low light: the old word dimm meant 'dull' or 'faint', so calling someone dim compares their mind to a light that is 'not bright' and slow to show ideas.