gloom

1 of 2

verb

gloomed; glooming; glooms

intransitive verb

1
: to look, feel, or act sullen or despondent
2
: to be or become overcast
3
: to loom up dimly

transitive verb

: to make dark, murky, or somber : make gloomy

gloom

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: partial or total darkness
b
: a dark or shadowy place
2
a
: lowness of spirits : dejection
b
: an atmosphere of despondency
a gloom fell over the household

Examples of gloom in a Sentence

Verb we just sat there, glooming, as we waited and waited for our dinners to arrive he continued to gloom over the fact that he had been passed over for promotion to district manager Noun The painting captures the gloom of a foggy night. He walked away, disappearing into the gloom. the gloom of the forest He was often subject to periods of gloom. A cloud of gloom has descended over the city.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
But, there is still gloom ahead for economies in the region. Emiko Jozuka, CNN, 5 Oct. 2022 Our imperviousness to gloom is our own peculiar virtue. Murr Brewster, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2022
Noun
Gratitude is our deliverance from gloom or grievance. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024 So while there’s no shortage of doom and gloom in the second section, there really isn’t a ton of risk for the Giants here. Grant Brisbee, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gloom 

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English gloumen

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of gloom was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near gloom

Cite this Entry

“Gloom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gloom. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

gloom

1 of 2 verb
1
: to look sullen, discouraged, or depressed
2
: to be or become overcast

gloom

2 of 2 noun
1
: partial or total darkness
2
: a sad mood
gloomily
ˈglü-mə-lē
adverb
gloominess
-mē-nəs
noun
gloomy
-mē
adjective

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