loom

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈlüm 

: a frame or machine for interlacing (see interlace sense 1) at right angles two or more sets of threads or yarns to form a cloth

loom

2 of 3

verb

loomed; looming; looms

intransitive verb

1

: to come into sight in enlarged or distorted and indistinct form often as a result of atmospheric conditions

Storm clouds loomed on the horizon.

2

a

: to appear in an impressively great or exaggerated form

deficits loomed large

b

: to take shape as an impending occurrence

the problems that loomed ahead

loom

3 of 3

noun (2)

: the indistinct and exaggerated appearance of something seen on the horizon or through fog or darkness

also : a looming shadow or reflection

Synonyms of loom

Verb

• brew
• impend

Examples of loom in a Sentence

Verb

Storm clouds loomed on the horizon.

The mountains loom above the valley.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In this strange new world – where everyday objects loom like mountains – the tiny trio must stick together to survive, navigating water towers, sewer mazes and unpredictable robot cleaners. —Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 May 2026

Others have shown flashes of brilliance or loom as long-shot upsets. —Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 1 May 2026

Verb

From the looming white-domed oven emerge the flakiest pies, feteer, built of gauzy layers of dough, pressed with ghee and stretched, then folded one inside another around your choice of filling. —Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026

Despite the balloons in the gym, Rikers is in an ongoing crisis with a looming deadline. —Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 11 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English lome tool, loom, from Old English gelōma tool; akin to Middle Dutch allame tool

Verb and Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1836, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing loom

• Jacquard loom
• loom large

Rhymes for loom

• blume
• boom
• broom
• doom
• flume
• fume
• gloom
• glume
• groom
• plume
• rheum
• room

Kids Definition

loom

1 of 2 noun

ˈlüm 

: a frame or machine for weaving threads or yarns to produce cloth

loom

2 of 2 verb

1

: to appear suddenly and often with a large, dim, or strange form

loomed out of the fog

2

: to be about to happen