ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grim

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɡɹɪm// UK //ɡɹˈɪm// grim Archaic Slang

adj. very serious, dark, or unpleasant. You use it to describe a situation that looks hopeless or something that is gross and disgusting.

adj. characterised by a stern, forbidding, or depressing quality; in British slang, describes something physically repulsive or of very poor quality.


SIMPLE

The weather today is absolutely grim.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor's face looked grim as he walked into the room to deliver the test results.

COMPLEX

Despite the grim economic forecasts and the rising cost of living, the small community remained determined to keep their local library open through volunteer efforts.

Synonyms
Origin

Probably derived from Old English *Grīm, Old Norse Grímr (literally “masked person”).

Usage

Often used to describe facial expressions, weather, or future prospects; in informal British English, it acts as a general synonym for 'disgusting'.

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