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Gloominess Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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gloominess

[ˈɡluːmɪnəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

feeling of sadness

Gloominess is the state of being dark, depressing, or gloomy. It refers to a feeling of sadness or melancholy that pervades the atmosphere. Gloominess can be characterized by a lack of light or cheerful brightness.

Synonyms

depression, melancholy, sadness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
gloominess

Used to describe a temporary state of feeling down or feeling that vibes or atmosphere are dark and troubling. It can refer to both emotional states and physical environments.

  • There was a gloominess in the room after the bad news.
  • He couldn't shake off the gloominess that hung over him all weekend.
melancholy

Describes a deep, reflective sadness, often tied to a specific memory or thought. It is usually more poetic or literary.

  • Looking through old photos filled her with a sense of melancholy.
  • He felt a melancholy longing for the days of his youth.
sadness

A general term for the feeling of being unhappy or sorrowful. It can be short-term or long-term and is less intense compared to depression.

  • She felt a wave of sadness when she heard about the accident.
  • His departure left a sadness that wouldn't go away.
depression

Refers to a more serious, often clinically diagnosed mental health condition that involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities.

  • She was diagnosed with depression and is now seeing a therapist.
  • After losing his job, he slipped into a deep depression.

Examples of usage

  • The gloominess of the weather matched my mood.
  • Her face was clouded with gloominess.
  • The gloominess of the room made it hard to find joy.
Context #2 | Noun

lack of hope

Gloominess can also refer to a lack of hope or optimism. It is the feeling of being stuck in a situation with no foreseeable positive outcome. Gloominess in this context can lead to despair and a sense of helplessness.

Synonyms

despair, hopelessness, pessimism.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
gloominess

Gloominess is typically used to describe a general sense of sadness or dullness in an environment or mood. It can apply to both physical settings (like weather) and emotional states.

  • The gloominess of the dark, rainy day made everyone feel a bit down.
  • She couldn't shake off the gloominess that had settled in after the bad news.
despair

Despair is a deep, extreme lack of hope and is used in situations where someone feels that there is no way out of a difficult situation. It often suggests severe emotional pain.

  • He was in utter despair after losing his job and his home.
  • In her despair, she felt that nothing could make her life better again.
hopelessness

Hopelessness refers to the feeling that there's no possibility for improvement or a positive outcome. It is often used in contexts where someone is overwhelmed by the absence of possibilities or solutions.

  • The situation seemed hopeless, leaving everyone feeling stuck and despondent.
  • After the diagnosis, he was filled with hopelessness and saw no future for himself.
pessimism

Pessimism is a general tendency to expect the worst or believe that bad things are more likely to happen. It usually describes an outlook or attitude rather than a temporary state.

  • Her constant pessimism made it hard for her friends to stay positive around her.
  • Pessimism spread through the team as they faced repeated setbacks.

Examples of usage

  • The gloominess of the economic forecast dampened spirits.
  • His gloominess about the future was palpable.
  • The political climate was marked by a sense of gloominess.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Gloominess can be linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), where people feel more depressed in winter due to lack of sunlight.
  • The color gray is often associated with feelings of gloom, as it can evoke a sense of neutrality or lack of vibrancy.
  • Expressing feelings of gloominess through art or writing can be therapeutic, allowing individuals to process their emotions.

Literature

  • Gloominess often serves as a backdrop in literature, symbolizing despair or foreboding, such as in Gothic novels.
  • Famous works like Edgar Allan Poe's stories utilize a gloomy atmosphere to enhance themes of hopelessness and dread.
  • The motif of gloom can also reflect the inner emotional state of characters, mirroring their struggles and conflicts.

Pop Culture

  • Gloomy characters are prevalent in movies and songs, often representing the 'misunderstood hero' trope, like Batman.
  • Comics and cartoons often use gloomy weather settings to signify trouble or hardship for the main character.
  • Songs like 'Gloomy Sunday' have become iconic by expressing deep feelings of melancholy through music.

Origin of 'gloominess'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Middle English 'glome', meaning 'twilight' or 'shade', which reflects the idea of darkness.
  • Ancient Scandinavian languages also contributed, where 'glomr' described darkness or gloom.
  • The transition of the word from meaning 'dark' to 'sad' occurred over centuries, blending physical and emotional associations.

The word 'gloominess' originated from the Middle English term 'glomie', which means 'dark, cloudy'. It has been used since the 16th century to describe a state of darkness, depression, or lack of hope. Over the years, 'gloominess' has come to symbolize a feeling of sadness or melancholy that pervades a situation or atmosphere.

See also: gloom, gloomily, gloomy.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,888, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.