gloomy

American  

[gloo-mee] / ˈglu mi /

adjective

gloomier, gloomiest

1. dark or dim; deeply shaded.

   gloomy skies.

   Synonyms:

   threatening, lowering, dusky, shadowy, obscure

2. causing gloom; dismal or depressing.

   a gloomy prospect.

3. filled with or showing gloom; sad, dejected, or melancholy.

   Synonyms:

   dispirited, glum, depressed, despondent, downhearted, downcast

   Antonyms:

   happy

4. hopeless or despairing; pessimistic.

   a gloomy view of the future.

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gloomy British  

/ ˈɡluːmɪ /

adjective

1. dark or dismal

2. causing depression, dejection, or gloom

   gloomy news

3. despairing; sad

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Related Words

See dark ( def. ).

Other Word Forms

• gloomily adverb
• gloominess noun
• overgloomily adverb
• overgloominess noun
• overgloomy adjective
• ungloomily adverb
• ungloomy adjective

Etymology

Origin of gloomy

First recorded in 1580–90; gloom + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Even more puzzling, strong U.S. growth was driven by consumer spending — by the very same people who tell pollsters they are gloomy.

From MarketWatch

Even more puzzling, strong U.S. growth was driven by consumer spending — by the very same people who tell pollsters they are gloomy.

From MarketWatch

Consumer sentiment about the economy remains gloomy, largely because of lingering anger over high prices for groceries, housing and other items.

From The Wall Street Journal

Consumers’ economic mood recovered slightly in December but remained broadly gloomy as households face drawn-out inflation and a frustrating labor market for job seekers, according to the University of Michigan’s monthly survey.

From The Wall Street Journal

German consumers presented a gloomy outlook for the start of 2026, as economic uncertainty and a jump in the desire to save rather than spend drove sentiment to a 21-month low.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• depressed
• dismal
• dour
• forlorn
• glum
• melancholy
• miserable
• pessimistic
• sad
• solemn
• sullen
• ugly