gloom

[gloom]

noun

1. total or partial darkness; dimness.

   Synonyms: obscurity, shade, shadow
   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

Other Word Forms

• gloomfully adverb
• gloomful adjective
• gloomless adjective
• outgloom verb (used with object)
• undergloom noun
• ungloom 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

Now is not the time for Olympics doom and gloom.

From Los Angeles Times

The sisters said family and friends had got them through the "doom and gloom".

From BBC

This is a hard one to call because, despite all the doom and gloom surrounding Newcastle, they are still a strong and exciting side.

From BBC

Players went to the dressing rooms because of rain and bad light when the game was on a knife-edge, then stayed there as the gloom turned to evening sunshine.

From BBC

The evening gloom meant the spin of Dawson and Joe Root had to be bowled for five overs in tandem before Stokes decided he wanted his pacers, forcing the hand of the umpires.

From BBC

Related Words

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