noun
Uncommon
gloom
gloom
Gloom (noun) means Near-darkness or dim, murky light. Example: “The old warehouse was shrouded in gloom.”
noun
1
Near-darkness or dim, murky light.
"The old warehouse was shrouded in gloom."
2
A feeling or atmosphere of sadness and hopelessness.
"A sense of gloom settled over the office after the layoffs were announced."
verb
1
To look or feel sad and downcast.
"He gloomed over his failed exam for days."
How to use gloom
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDarkness, or a depressing, downbeat mood.
Common pairings
a sense of gloom
doom and gloom
plunged into gloom
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Word forms
- Plural
- glooms
- Third person singular
- glooms
- Past tense
- gloomed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old warehouse was shrouded in _____.
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."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for gloom
See all rhymes for 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.
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