# bleak

/ˈbɫik/ (US) · /blˈiːk/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bleak
Updated: 2026-05-04

## Definition

describing a situation that is cold, empty, and without hope. You use it for bad weather or a gloomy future.

For teachers: characterized by a lack of warmth, comfort, or hope; dreary and desolate.

## Examples

- The winter landscape looked cold and bleak.
- The report paints a bleak picture of the economy.
- The bleak reality of the situation forced them to reconsider their ambitious plans.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.