What does a dimmed Wi-Fi menu indicate on a Mac?

A dimmed Wi-Fi menu indicates that the Wi-Fi is turned on but the device is not connected to any specific network. This visual cue helps users quickly identify the status of their Wi-Fi connectivity. When Wi-Fi is active but not associated with any network, it means that the Mac is ready to connect to a Wi-Fi network, but it is currently not linked to one. This state is distinct from the Wi-Fi being turned off or experiencing a malfunction, which would typically result in a more prominent indicator that signifies no Wi-Fi ability at all.