What does bedim mean?
"Bedim" is a transitive verb meaning to make dim, dark, or obscure — to rob something of its brightness or clarity. It can operate literally, as when fog or smoke bedims a landscape or a window, or figuratively, as when sorrow bedims someone's eyes or disgrace bedims a reputation. The word is formed from the prefix "be-", which here carries the sense of making or affecting, joined to the adjective "dim". Though it has been part of English since at least the sixteenth century, "bedim" remains firmly literary: it belongs to poetry, formal description, and elegiac prose far more than to conversation. Its most familiar appearance is in the phrase "bedimmed eyes," evoking tears, age, or grief. Writers reach for it when they want a slightly heightened, poetic alternative to plain words like "darken," "cloud," or "obscure."
verbTo make dim or less bright; to obscure or darken the light, clarity, or lustre of something.
- To make dim, dark, or less bright; to deprive of brightness or lustre.
- (Figurative) To obscure, blur, or cloud something such as vision, memory, or reputation.
"Tears bedimmed her eyes as she read the old letter."
"Mist from the waterfall bedimmed the windows of the observation deck."
"The scandal threatened to bedim an otherwise distinguished career."
Built from just two tiny pieces — "be" plus "dim" — this little verb has been quietly darkening English poetry for centuries.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bedim
"Bedim" is formed within English from the prefix "be-", used here in its sense of making or providing, combined with the adjective "dim," which descends from Old English "dim" or "dimm" meaning dark or obscure. The verb has been in use since at least the early modern period, appearing in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century writing and remaining a staple of poetic diction ever since. Its relatives are simply the other descendants of that same Germanic root behind "dim," such as "dimly" and "dimness," rather than borrowings from Latin or Greek.
Related word forms
How bedim is actually used
"Bedim" is literary and somewhat archaic in tone; it appears mostly in poetry and elevated prose rather than everyday speech. It is almost always used transitively and frequently appears figuratively, especially in the phrase "bedimmed eyes" describing tearful or failing sight.
Easily confused with bedim
"Bedlam" is a noun meaning a scene of uproar and confusion (from the old name of London's Bethlem Royal Hospital), while "bedim" is a verb meaning to make dim or obscure.