glum

[ gluhm ]

adjective

, glum·mer, glum·mest.

1. sullenly or silently gloomy; dejected.

   Synonyms: despondent, sulky, moody, melancholy

glum

/ ɡlʌm /

adjective

1. silent or sullen, as from gloom

Derived Forms

• ˈglumness, noun
• ˈglumly, adverb

Other Words From

• glumly adverb
• glumness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of glum¹

1425–75; late Middle English; variant of gloom

Word History and Origins

Origin of glum¹

C16: variant of gloom

Synonym Study

Glum, morose, sullen, dour, surly all are adjectives describing a gloomy, unsociable attitude. Glum describes a depressed, spiritless condition or manner, usually temporary rather than habitual: a glum shrug of the shoulders; a glum, hopeless look in his eye. Morose, which adds to glum a sense of bitterness, implies a habitual and pervasive gloominess: a sour, morose manner; morose withdrawal from human contact. Sullen usually implies reluctance or refusal to speak accompanied by glowering looks expressing anger or a sense of injury: a sullen manner, silence, look. Dour refers to a stern and forbidding aspect, stony and unresponsive: dour rejection of friendly overtures. Surly implies gruffness of speech and manner, usually accompanied by an air of injury and ill temper: a surly reply.

Example Sentences

To the left was James Carville, hanging out in his polo shirt and looking increasingly glum as the evening wore on.

From Salon

But those disappointed by Swift's wrists woes need not stay glum for long.

From BBC

Nevertheless, the undercurrent of faith made what could have been another glum odyssey surprisingly moving at times, broadening not only the title character’s range but showing off Reedus’ too.

From Salon

There are good political reasons for being so overtly glum.

From BBC

But Shy was a cowed and glum child.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• depressed
• dismal
• gloomy
• melancholy
• morose
• sad