Gloomily Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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gloomily

[หˆษกluหmษชli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

in a sad or depressed manner

In a gloomy or despondent manner.

Synonyms

dejectedly, sadly, sorrowfully.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
gloomily

Used when expressing a general sense of darkness, despair, or a depressing atmosphere. It often describes the overall mood rather than a specific event.

  • He looked out the window gloomily as the rain poured down, feeling the weight of the dreary day.
  • The room was decorated gloomily, with dark curtains and minimal light.
sadly

Commonly used to simply express a state of sadness, often in direct relation to a specific event or piece of news.

  • She spoke sadly about the loss of her pet.
  • He watched sadly as his friends moved away.
dejectedly

Best used when expressing a feeling of being downcast or disheartened, typically after a disappointment or failure.

  • She walked away dejectedly after she didn't get the job she wanted.
  • He sighed dejectedly, recognizing that his team had lost the match.
sorrowfully

Used when expressing deep grief or sadness, often in relation to tragic events or situations involving loss.

  • He looked at her sorrowfully, feeling the pain of their parting.

Examples of usage

  • She stared gloomily out of the window.
  • He shook his head gloomily, knowing that there was no easy solution to the problem.
Context #2 | Adverb

in a dark or dim manner

In a dark, shadowy, or dim manner.

Synonyms

darkly, dimly, shadowily.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
gloomily

Use "gloomily" when describing a mood or setting that is sad, depressed, or lacking hope.

  • She stared gloomily out of the window, thinking about her lost love.
  • The room was gloomily lit, adding to the somber atmosphere.
dimly

Use "dimly" to describe low light or something that is not clear or sharp.

  • The room was dimly lit, making it hard to see.
  • She could dimly remember her childhood memories.
darkly

Use "darkly" when describing something literally lacking light, or metaphorically when describing ominous or threatening feelings or situations.

  • He spoke darkly of the dangers they would face on their journey.
  • The alley was darkly lit and seemed dangerous.
shadowily

Use "shadowily" when describing something that is covered in or full of shadows, often creating a mysterious or eerie feeling.

  • He moved shadowily through the forest, almost blending in with the trees.
  • The figure appeared shadowily in the doorway, creating a sense of unease.

Examples of usage

  • The room was lit only by a small lamp and the corners were gloomily dark.
  • The forest was gloomily silent, with only the occasional rustle of leaves breaking the stillness.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Feeling gloomily can be a sign of depression, which affects a person's mood and overall view of life.
  • Research shows that weather can impact moods, with many feeling more pessimistic on overcast days.
  • Gloomy feelings can also serve as a signal for people to rest or reflect on their thoughts and feelings.

Literature

  • Many authors, like Edgar Allan Poe, use gloomy settings to create suspense and enhance emotional depth in their stories.
  • Gloomy atmosphere is often used in literature to portray characters' inner turmoil or foreshadow tragic events.
  • Classic tales often describe gloomy landscapes to reflect the emotional states of characters, such as in Shakespeare's works.

Pop Culture

  • Gloomy characters are common in animated films and series, often humorous villains or misunderstood anti-heroes.
  • Songs that evoke gloomy feelings can connect deeply with listeners, capturing emotions of heartbreak and longing.
  • Gloomy fashion styles, including darker colors, are trendy in various subcultures, reflecting moods through clothing.

Science

  • Studies in neuroscience show that negative emotions, including gloominess, can affect brain functioning and decision-making.
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression related to changes in seasons, often causing gloominess during winter months.
  • Light therapy has been shown to improve moods in individuals suffering from seasonal gloominess, showing how environment affects feelings.

Origin of 'gloomily'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from 'gloom', which has origins in Middle English, where it referred to darkness or shadow.
  • Gloomy is related to the Old Norse word 'glรบmr', which means 'mist' or 'cloud', emphasizing how it describes dark, cloudy weather.
  • The suffix '-ly' turns adjectives into adverbs, meaning 'in a manner of', so 'gloomily' means 'in a gloomy way'.

The adverb 'gloomily' is derived from the adjective 'gloomy', which originated in the late 16th century from the Middle English 'glomie', meaning dark or dim. The word is related to the Old English 'glom', which also means darkness or twilight. Over the centuries, 'gloomily' has evolved to describe both a sad or depressed manner and a dark or dim setting.


See also: gloom, gloominess, gloomy.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,288, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.