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noun C1 Advanced Uncommon

loom

loom

Loom (noun) means a machine used for weaving thread or yarn into cloth. Example: “The weaver worked the loom late into the evening.”

noun
1
A machine used for weaving thread or yarn into cloth.
"The weaver worked the loom late into the evening."
"Museum visitors watched a demonstration on a traditional wooden loom."
verb
1
To appear as a large, unclear, or threatening shape, especially in the distance.
"A dark shape loomed out of the fog."
"The deadline loomed over the whole team."

How to use loom

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the weaving machine, or the sense of something big or worrying seeming to hang over you.

Common pairings
loom large loom over loom in the distance

Word forms

loomed past tense, looms plural, looms plural, looms plural, looms singular

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The weaver worked the _____ late into the evening.

Etymology

From Old English gelōma, "tool" or "utensil" — the weaving-machine sense developed later, and the "appear threateningly" sense of the verb grew from the idea of something bulky slowly coming into view.

Origin: Old English

Related words

Rhymes for loom

See all rhymes for loom →

Frequently asked questions

What does “loom” mean?

The word “loom” means a machine used for weaving thread or yarn into cloth. In plain terms, either the weaving machine, or the sense of something big or worrying seeming to hang over you.

How do you pronounce “loom”?

“Loom” is pronounced loom (/lum/ in IPA).

How do you use “loom” in a sentence?

Here is “loom” used in a sentence: “The weaver worked the loom late into the evening.”

What part of speech is “loom”?

Depending on how it is used, “loom” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “loom” come from?

The word “loom” comes from Old English. From Old English gelōma, "tool" or "utensil" — the weaving-machine sense developed later, and the "appear threateningly" sense of the verb grew from the idea of something bulky slowly coming into view.

Is “loom” a common word?

“Loom” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

How many meanings does “loom” have?

“Loom” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a machine used for weaving thread or yarn into cloth.

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