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

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

But the schedule stiffens up next week with the start of 4A South Metro League play as Heritage, Ponderosa and Dakota Ridge all loom in October. —Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025

As betrayal and madness loom, Amanda is forced to confront her deepest fears and make an ultimate choice between freedom and acceptance. —Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025

Verb

In emails to Daugaard — and, in at least one case, internally — city officials cited uncertainty created by a looming budget deficit as one of the main reasons for the new marching orders. —Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2025

The question looms over the administration’s enthusiastic embrace of coal, a leading contributor to climate change. —Jordan Blum, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025

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