# gloomy

/ˈɡɫumi/ (US) · /ɡlˈuːmi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gloomy
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. dark and depressing

adjective · CEFR B2

dark in a way that makes you feel sad or a little bit scared.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. sad or pessimistic

adjective · CEFR B2

feeling sad and without much hope for the future.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The weather is gloomy and grey today.
- The old library felt gloomy because the heavy curtains blocked out most of the afternoon sun.
- Despite the positive economic data, the CEO remained gloomy about the company's long-term prospects in such a volatile market.

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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.