English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com

gloom

4 synonyms and 5 antonyms for gloom, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — Near-darkness or dim, murky light.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

Near-darkness or dim, murky light.

“The old warehouse was shrouded in gloom.”

Opposites

2. noun

A feeling or atmosphere of sadness and hopelessness.

“A sense of gloom settled over the office after the layoffs were announced.”

Opposites

How to use gloom

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a sense of gloom doom and gloom plunged into gloom

Etymology

From an Old English word for twilight or darkness, related to a Germanic root meaning "to gleam or shimmer" — the same distant family as "glow."

Full origin of gloom →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gloom” mean?
The word “gloom” means near-darkness or dim, murky light. In plain terms, darkness, or a depressing, downbeat mood.
How do you pronounce “gloom”?
“Gloom” is pronounced gloom (/ɡlum/ in IPA).
How do you use “gloom” in a sentence?
Here is “gloom” used in a sentence: “The old warehouse was shrouded in gloom.”
What part of speech is “gloom”?
Depending on how it is used, “gloom” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gloom” come from?
The word “gloom” comes from Old English. From an Old English word for twilight or darkness, related to a Germanic root meaning "to gleam or shimmer" — the same distant family as "glow.".
Is “gloom” a common word?
“Gloom” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “gloom” have?
“Gloom” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: near-darkness or dim, murky light.

Related words

People also searched

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of gloom
Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.