1 VERB When something diminishes , or when something diminishes it, it becomes reduced in size, importance, or intensity. □ [V ] The threat of nuclear war has diminished. □ [V n] Federalism is intended to diminish the power of the central state. □ [V -ing] Universities are facing grave problems because of diminishing resources. □ [V -ed] This could mean diminished public support for the war.
2 VERB If you diminish someone or something, you talk about them or treat them in a way that makes them appear less important than they really are. □ [V n] He never put her down or diminished her.
di|mi n|ished re|spon|sibi l|ity N‑UNCOUNT In law, diminished responsibility is a defence which states that someone is not mentally well enough to be totally responsible for their crime.
di|mi n|ish|ing re|tu rns N‑UNCOUNT In economics, diminishing returns is a situation in which the increase in production, profits, or benefits resulting from something is less than the money or energy that is invested.
dimi|nu|tion /d I m I njuː ʃ ə n, [AM ] -nuː -/ N‑UNCOUNT A diminution of something is its reduction in size, importance, or intensity. [FORMAL ] □ …despite a slight diminution in asset value.
di|minu|tive /d I m I njʊt I v/ (diminutives )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A diminutive person or object is very small. □ She noticed a diminutive figure standing at the entrance.
2 N‑COUNT A diminutive is an informal form of a name. For example, 'Jim' and 'Jimmy' are diminutives of 'James'.
dim|mer /d I mə r / (dimmers ) N‑COUNT A dimmer or a dimmer switch is a switch that allows you to gradually change the brightness of an electric light.
dim|ple /d I mp ə l/ (dimples ) N‑COUNT A dimple is a small hollow in someone's cheek or chin, often one that you can see when they smile. □ Bess spoke up, smiling so that her dimples showed.
dim|pled /d I mp ə ld/ ADJ Something that is dimpled has small hollows in it. □ …a man with a dimpled chin.
dim|wit /d I mw I t/ (dimwits ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a dimwit , you mean that they are ignorant and stupid. [INFORMAL ]
di m-wi tted also dimwitted ADJ If you describe someone as dim-witted , you are saying in quite an unkind way that you do not think they are very clever. [INFORMAL ]
din /d I n/ N‑SING A din is a very loud and unpleasant noise that lasts for some time. □ They tried to make themselves heard over the din of the crowd.
di|nar /diː nɑː r / (dinars ) N‑COUNT [num N ] The dinar is the unit of money that is used in some north African and Middle Eastern countries, and also in the republics which were part of Yugoslavia. ● N‑SING The dinar is also used to refer to the currency system of these countries.
dine ◆◇◇ /da I n/ (dines , dining , dined )
1 VERB [no passive] When you dine , you have dinner. [FORMAL ] □ [V adv/prep] He dines alone most nights. □ [V ] They used to enjoy going out to dine.
2 to wine and dine → see wine
din|er /da I nə r / (diners )
1 N‑COUNT A diner is a small cheap restaurant that is open all day. [AM ]
2 N‑COUNT The people who are having dinner in a restaurant can be referred to as diners . □ They sat in a corner, away from other diners.
ding-dong /d I ŋ dɒŋ, [AM ] - dɔːŋ/ N‑COUNT Ding-dong is used in writing to represent the sound made by a bell.
din|ghy /d I ŋgi/ (dinghies ) N‑COUNT A dinghy is a small open boat that you sail or row.
din|go /d I ŋgoʊ/ (dingoes ) N‑COUNT A dingo is an Australian wild dog.
din|gy /d I ndʒi/ (dingier , dingiest )
1 ADJ A dingy building or place is rather dark and depressing, and perhaps dirty. □ Shaw took me to his rather dingy office.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Dingy clothes, curtains, or furnishings look dirty or dull. □ …wallpaper with stripes of dingy yellow.
di n|ing car (dining cars ) N‑COUNT A dining car is a carriage on a train where passengers can have a meal.
di n|ing room (dining rooms ) also dining-room N‑COUNT The dining room is the room in a house where people have their meals, or a room in a hotel where meals are served.
di n|ing ta|ble (dining tables ) also dining-table N‑COUNT A dining table is a table that is used for having meals on.
dinky /d I ŋki/ (dinkier , dinkiest )
1 ADJ If you describe something as dinky , you mean that it is attractive and appealing, usually because it is quite small and well-designed. [BRIT , INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ Darby drove a dinky old Fiat sports car.
2 ADJ If you describe something as dinky , you mean that it is small and unimportant. [AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The hotels are full up, and the guests have had to go to this dinky little motel way out on Stewart Avenue.
din|ner ◆◆◇ /d I nə r / (dinners )
1 N‑VAR Dinner is the main meal of the day, usually served in the early part of the evening. □ She invited us to her house for dinner. □ Would you like to stay and have dinner?
2 → see also TV dinner
3 N‑VAR Any meal you eat in the middle of the day can be referred to as dinner .
4 N‑COUNT A dinner is a formal social event at which a meal is served. It is held in the evening. □ …a series of official lunches and dinners. COLLOCATIONS dinner NOUN