grim
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
very serious, gloomy, or worrying.
dismal, gloomy, or forbidding in appearance or character.
Simple“The news from the hospital was grim, and the family prepared for the worst.”
In context“The landscape was grim and desolate, with grey clouds hanging low over the abandoned industrial site.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
having a very serious and determined expression or attitude.
stern, unrelenting, or resolute in a way that suggests a lack of mercy or humor.
Simple“He had a grim look on his face as he walked into the difficult meeting.”
In context“Despite the mounting losses, the commander remained grim and focused on the next phase of the operation.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
very unpleasant or disgusting to look at, smell, or taste.
physically repulsive or disgusting; frequently used in informal British English to describe poor quality or filth.
Simple“The weather today is absolutely grim — it hasn't stopped raining for hours.”
In context“I tried the leftover soup, but it tasted pretty grim after sitting in the fridge for a week.”
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
frightening or shocking, often because it involves death or violence.
ghastly, sinister, or macabre in nature.
Simple“The book tells a grim story about the realities of war.”
In context“The crime scene was a grim reminder of the violence that had occurred in the quiet neighborhood.”
Probably derived from Old English *Grīm, Old Norse Grímr (literally “masked person”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.