dim out
B2 neutral separable both
In simple words
To make lights less bright, or to get darker slowly.
Literal meaning: To make something dim and cause it to fade outward.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To reduce the brightness of lights, especially across a city or area as a wartime or emergency measure.
"During the war, coastal cities were required to dim out their lights to make targeting harder for enemy aircraft."
Grammar: separable
2 B2 neutral
To gradually become less bright or visible.
"The stage dimmed out slowly as the final scene came to an end."
Usage notes
Historically associated with World War II civil defence practices — cities would 'dim out' (partially reduce lighting) as opposed to a full 'blackout'. Also used in theatre and broadcasting contexts. Less common today outside historical or technical usage.
Commonly used with
lights city stage screen theatre streets
Forms
Base
dim out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dims out
he/she/it
Past simple
dimed out
yesterday
Past participle
dimed out
have + pp
-ing form
diming out
continuous
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