ENGLISH
REFERENCE

looms

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɫumz// UK //lˈuːmz// looms

v. to appear as a large, dark, or scary shape, especially when it is close to you. It also describes a future event that feels worrying or unavoidable.

v. to appear or come into view as a large, indistinct, or threatening form. Often used figuratively to describe an impending event that causes anxiety or concern.


SIMPLE

A dark mountain looms over the small village.

CONTEXTUAL

As the deadline for the project looms, the team is working late every night to finish.

COMPLEX

The threat of a global recession looms over the economic summit, forcing world leaders to reconsider their trade policies and domestic spending.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is intransitive and often followed by the preposition 'over' or 'above'.

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