gloom
Gloom (noun) means Near-darkness or dim, murky light. Example: “The old warehouse was shrouded in gloom.”
How to use gloom
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDarkness, or a depressing, downbeat mood.
Word forms
gloomed past tense, glooms plural, glooms singular
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
View more →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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include gloom: