grim
grihm
Grim (adj) means Bleak, gloomy, or discouraging. Example: “The doctor delivered a grim prognosis.”
adj
1
Bleak, gloomy, or discouraging.
"The doctor delivered a grim prognosis."
"Things looked grim for the team after they fell three goals behind."
"The weather forecast looked grim, so we cancelled the picnic."
2
Stern, harsh, or unyielding in expression or manner.
"He kept a grim expression throughout the funeral."
"The teacher gave the noisy class a grim look and waited in silence."
"Her grim voice told us she would not change her mind."
How to use grim
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBleak, serious, or grim-faced — used for bad news, harsh outlooks, or stern expressions.
Common pairings
grim news
grim reality
a grim expression
grim determination
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Word forms
- Plural
- grims
- Third person singular
- grims
- Past tense
- grimmed
- Comparative
- grimmer
- Superlative
- grimmest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The doctor delivered a _____ prognosis.
Etymology
From Old English grimm, going back through Proto-Germanic to a root meaning "to roar" or "thunder" — the sense shifted from fierce and terrifying to today's bleak, joyless meaning.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for grim
See all rhymes for grim →Frequently asked questions
What does “grim” mean?
The word “grim” means bleak, gloomy, or discouraging. In plain terms, bleak, serious, or grim-faced — used for bad news, harsh outlooks, or stern expressions.
How do you pronounce “grim”?
“Grim” is pronounced grihm (/ɡɹɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “grim” in a sentence?
Here is “grim” used in a sentence: “The doctor delivered a grim prognosis.”
What part of speech is “grim”?
“Grim” is an adjective.
Where does the word “grim” come from?
The word “grim” comes from Old English. From Old English grimm, going back through Proto-Germanic to a root meaning "to roar" or "thunder" — the sense shifted from fierce and terrifying to today's bleak, joyless meaning.
Is “grim” a common word?
“Grim” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “grim” have?
“Grim” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: bleak, gloomy, or discouraging.
What is the difference between grim and sad?
Grim describes something bleak, gloomy, or discouraging in a way that feels harsh or foreboding, such as "grim news" or "a grim outlook." Sad describes an emotional state of unhappiness, so grim is more about the tone or severity of a situation, while sad is about how someone feels.
Can grim describe a person's expression as well as a situation?
Yes. Grim can describe a stern, harsh, or unyielding expression or manner, such as "a grim look on her face," as well as a bleak or discouraging situation, such as "grim prospects." Both senses share a tone of severity and lack of warmth.
What is the difference between grim and grim-faced or grimace?
Grim is the base adjective describing bleakness or a stern manner. "Grimace" is a related but distinct word for a facial expression of pain or disgust, while "grim-faced" is a compound describing someone whose expression is stern or severe, drawing directly on the adjective grim.
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