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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

gloomy

GLOO-mee

Gloomy (adj) means Dark and dim, especially in a way that feels depressing. Example: “The sky turned gloomy just before the storm hit.”

adj
1
Dark and dim, especially in a way that feels depressing.
"The sky turned gloomy just before the storm hit."
2
Sad, pessimistic, or without hope.
"He's been gloomy ever since he lost his job."
"Analysts gave a gloomy forecast for next quarter's sales."

How to use gloomy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDark and dreary, or feeling/sounding pessimistic.

Common pairings
gloomy weather gloomy outlook gloomy mood

Word forms

gloomier comparative, gloomies plural, gloomiest superlative

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Test yourself on “gloomy” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The sky turned _____ just before the storm hit.

Etymology

From "gloom" plus the adjective ending "-y."

Rhymes for gloomy

See all rhymes for gloomy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gloomy” mean?

The word “gloomy” means dark and dim, especially in a way that feels depressing. In plain terms, dark and dreary, or feeling/sounding pessimistic.

How do you pronounce “gloomy”?

“Gloomy” is pronounced GLOO-mee (/ˈɡlumi/ in IPA).

How do you use “gloomy” in a sentence?

Here is “gloomy” used in a sentence: “The sky turned gloomy just before the storm hit.”

What part of speech is “gloomy”?

“Gloomy” is an adjective.

Is “gloomy” a common word?

“Gloomy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “gloomy” have?

“Gloomy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dark and dim, especially in a way that feels depressing.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial