Gloomily: meaning, definitions and examples

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gloomily

 

[ˈɡluːmɪli ]

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • 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 'glúmr', 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'.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "gloomily" in other languages:

🇵🇹 melancolicamente

🇮🇳 उदासी से

🇩🇪 düster

🇮🇩 muram

🇺🇦 похмуро

🇵🇱 ponuro

🇯🇵 陰気に (inki ni)

🇫🇷 mélancoliquement

🇪🇸 melancólicamente

🇹🇷 kasvetli bir şekilde

🇰🇷 우울하게 (uu lhage)

🇸🇦 بكآبة

🇨🇿 pochmurně

🇸🇰 pochmúrne

🇨🇳 忧郁地 (yōuyù de)

🇸🇮 turobno

🇮🇸 drungalega

🇰🇿 көңілсіз

🇬🇪 მწუხარედ

🇦🇿 qəmginliklə

🇲🇽 melancólicamente

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.