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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

gloomy

GLOO-mee
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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
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Word forms

Plural
gloomies
Comparative
gloomier
Superlative
gloomiest
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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."

Related words

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.

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