Word
gloomy
US/ˈɡɫumi/
UK/ɡlˈuːmi/
Definitions
01dark and depressing
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. dark in a way that makes you feel sad or a little bit scared.
adj. dimly lit or shadowed in a manner that evokes a sense of depression or foreboding.
“The old house was gloomy and smelled of dust and old paper.”
“The forest became increasingly gloomy as the thick canopy blocked out the remaining afternoon light, making the trail difficult to follow.”
02sad or pessimistic
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. feeling sad and without much hope for the future.
adj. characterised by hopelessness, low spirits, or a pessimistic outlook.
“He has been in a gloomy mood since he lost his job last week.”
“Economists issued a gloomy forecast for the next quarter, citing rising inflation and stagnant consumer spending as primary concerns.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“She had expected the prison to look gloomy and scary and was surprised to find the workroom bright and airy.” “The setting is a gloomy and wintry London, with porridge-grey cloud cover.” Etymology
From gloom + -y. Cognate with Saterland Frisian glumig (“dark, gloomy”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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