adj
grim
grihm
adj
1
Bleak, gloomy, or discouraging.
"The doctor delivered a grim prognosis."
"Things looked grim for the team after they fell three goals behind."
2
Stern, harsh, or unyielding in expression or manner.
"He kept a grim expression throughout the funeral."
How to Use Grim
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBleak, serious, or grim-faced — used for bad news, harsh outlooks, or stern expressions.
Common pairings
grim news
grim reality
a grim expression
grim determination
Word Forms
grimmer comparative, grimmed past tense, grims plural, grims plural, grims singular, grimmest superlative
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Etymology
From Old English grimm, going back through Proto-Germanic to a root meaning "to roar" or "thunder" — the sense shifted from fierce and terrifying to today's bleak, joyless meaning.