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

Gagell will oversee the European looms Schotex shipped from Switzerland to its new factory in Kaiping, China. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026

As national Medicaid cuts loom, South Dakota voters rejected an amendment that would have conditioned the state’s expansion program — already approved by voters — on the federal share of funding remaining at 90%. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 5 Nov. 2026

Verb

Brooke Anderson Photography/Getty Images The start of a new month is always a smart time to reconsider your financial health and especially now, with the holidays looming and spending expected to increase. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after Sunday's come-from-in-front overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals that Schottenheimer remains the Cowboys' coach and firing him is not a looming move. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 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