gloom

[ gloom ]

noun

1. total or partial darkness; dimness.

   Synonyms: obscurity, shadow, shade

   Antonyms: brightness

2. a state of melancholy or depression; low spirits.

   Synonyms: sadness, despondency, dejection

   Antonyms: cheerful

3. a despondent or depressed look or expression.

verb (used without object)

1. to appear or become dark, dim, or somber.
2. to look sad, dismal, or dejected; frown.

verb (used with object)

1. to fill with gloom; make gloomy or sad; sadden.
2. to make dark or somber.

gloom

/ ɡluːm /

noun

1. partial or total darkness
2. a state of depression or melancholy
3. an appearance or expression of despondency or melancholy
4. poetic.
   a dim or dark place

verb

1. intr to look sullen or depressed
2. to make or become dark or gloomy

Derived Forms

• ˈgloomfully, adverb
• ˈgloomful, adjective
• ˈgloomless, adjective

Other Word Forms

• gloomful adjective
• gloomful·ly adverb
• gloomless adjective
• outgloom verb (used with object)
• under·gloom noun
• un·gloom verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of gloom¹

1300–50; Middle English gloumben, glomen to frown, perhaps representing Old English *glūmian (akin to early German gläumen to make turbid); glum

Word History and Origins

Origin of gloom¹

C14 gloumben to look sullen; related to Norwegian dialect glome to eye suspiciously

Example Sentences

Because the wreck is so large and lies in the gloom of the deep, exploring it with submersibles only shows tantalising snapshots.

From BBC

Yes, it is not all doom and gloom today.

From BBC

However, some art house cinemas are doing strong business amid the doom and gloom.

From Los Angeles Times

“From the fires to ICE raids to the political blame game to Hollywood’s continued struggle, the atmosphere of gloom is pervading Los Angeles,” the description reads.

From Los Angeles Times

Even so, the gloom of Rachmaninoff’s final major work was dispensed by pure pianistic spectacle.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anguish
• bitterness
• despair
• discouragement
• doldrums
• foreboding
• grief
• horror
• malaise
• misery
• pessimism
• sadness
• sorrow
• weariness
• woe