What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dim
Example
Can you turn up the lights? It's too dim in here. [dim: adjective]
Example
I couldn't read the sign because it was too dim. [dim: adjective]
Example
The party had a dim ambiance with soft lighting and mellow music. [dim: noun]
dull
Example
The knife is dull and needs to be sharpened. [dull: adjective]
Example
The lecture was so dull that I fell asleep. [dull: adjective]
Example
The paint color is too dull for my taste. [dull: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dull is more commonly used than dim in everyday language. Dull is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dim is less common and more specific to low light or subdued atmospheres.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between dim and dull?
Both dim and dull are relatively informal words, but dull can be used in more formal contexts, such as academic or professional writing, while dim is more limited to casual conversation or creative writing.
