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Gloom: meaning, definitions and examples

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gloom

 

[ ɡluːm ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

feeling of darkness or sadness

Gloom is a state of darkness, or a feeling of sadness and lack of hope. It can be a physical darkness, like on a cloudy day, or a metaphorical darkness, like when someone is feeling down or depressed.

Synonyms

darkness, melancholy, sadness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
gloom

This word is often used to describe a state of partial darkness or a depressing atmosphere. It can refer both to literal dimness and to a metaphorical sense of sadness or hopelessness.

  • The room was filled with an eerie gloom.
  • A sense of gloom descended upon the town after the news of the accident.
darkness

Refers primarily to the absence of light, but it can also signify a lack of knowledge or moral goodness. This word is more neutral compared to others on the list.

  • The house was plunged into darkness after the power went out.
  • He felt a profound darkness in his heart.
sadness

A general term for feeling sorrowful or unhappy. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and covers a broad spectrum of emotional contexts.

  • She could not hide her sadness after the breakup.
  • The movie was filled with moments of deep sadness.
melancholy

Used to describe a deep, pensive sadness that can be reflective and somewhat poetic. The word has an elegant, old-fashioned feel to it.

  • She felt a melancholy that she couldn't quite explain.
  • The painting evoked a profound sense of melancholy.

Examples of usage

  • The gloom of the rainy day matched her mood perfectly.
  • He couldn't shake off the gloom that had settled in his heart.
Context #2 | Verb

to make dark or dull

To gloom something is to make it dark or dull. It can refer to physical darkness, like a room that lacks light, or to a figurative darkness, like a bad mood that affects everything around it.

Synonyms

cloud, darken, obscure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
gloom

Used to describe a situation, mood, or environment that is dark, depressing, or lacking in light and hope.

  • The room was filled with gloom after the bad news.
  • There was a sense of gloom in the office after the project was canceled.
darken

Used to describe the action of making something darker, either literally or metaphorically. It can have a negative connotation.

  • The sky began to darken as the storm approached.
  • Her expression darkened when she heard the bad news.
obscure

Used to describe something that is difficult to see, understand, or is not well-known. It often implies confusion or lack of clarity.

  • The meaning of the poem was obscure to many readers.
  • Heavy fog can obscure the view of the mountains.
cloud

Often used metaphorically to describe something that makes a situation less clear or makes people feel less happy or hopeful.

  • Uncertainty continues to cloud the future of the company.
  • His past mistakes began to cloud his reputation.

Examples of usage

  • The storm clouds gloomed the sky.
  • His bad temper gloomed the atmosphere of the party.

Translations

Translations of the word "gloom" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escuridão

🇮🇳 अंधकार

🇩🇪 Dunkelheit

🇮🇩 kegelapan

🇺🇦 темрява

🇵🇱 ciemność

🇯🇵 暗闇 (kurayami)

🇫🇷 obscurité

🇪🇸 oscuridad

🇹🇷 karanlık

🇰🇷 어둠 (eodum)

🇸🇦 ظلام (ẓalām)

🇨🇿 temnota

🇸🇰 temnota

🇨🇳 黑暗 (hēi'àn)

🇸🇮 tema

🇮🇸 myrkur

🇰🇿 қараңғылық

🇬🇪 ბნელი (bneli)

🇦🇿 qaranlıq

🇲🇽 oscuridad

Etymology

The word 'gloom' originated from the Middle English 'gloum', which can be traced back to the Old Norse 'glumr' meaning 'twilight'. Over time, the word evolved to encompass feelings of darkness and sadness. The concept of gloom has been present in literature and art throughout history, often symbolizing despair or melancholy.

See also: gloomily, gloominess, gloomy.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,095 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.