gloomy

[ gloo-mee ]

adjective

, gloom·i·er, gloom·i·est.

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.

gloomy

/ ˈɡluːmɪ /

adjective

1. dark or dismal
2. causing depression, dejection, or gloom

   gloomy news

3. despairing; sad

Derived Forms

• ˈgloomily, adverb
• ˈgloominess, noun

Other Words From

• gloomi·ly adverb
• gloomi·ness noun
• over·gloomi·ly adverb
• over·gloomi·ness noun
• over·gloomy adjective
• un·gloomi·ly adverb
• un·gloomy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gloomy¹

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

Synonym Study

See dark ( def ).

Example Sentences

Yet this, in the end, is a book from which one emerges sad, gloomy, disenchanted, at least if we agree to take it seriously.

From The Daily Beast

The running machines are a gloomy chorus of heavy-footed stomping.

From The Daily Beast

But the more you get involved in it, the more gloomy you become.

From The Daily Beast

He excluded “instances of repeated gloomy forebodings which on one occasion happened to be right.”

From The Daily Beast

Hemingway wrote of crossing a stream into a “gloomy little village.”

From The Daily Beast

Turn we our backs to the cold gloomy north, to the wet windy west, to the dry parching east—on to the south!

From Project Gutenberg

It was broad daylight still, but gloomy there: the window had the pleasure of reposing under the leads, and was gloomy at noon.

From Project Gutenberg

Under the present order and with the present gloomy preconceptions they have been the least of its collective cares.

From Project Gutenberg

Rabecque, reflecting his master's mood—as becomes a good lackey—rode silent and gloomy a pace or two in the rear.

From Project Gutenberg

With these words, the beadle strode, with a lofty and gloomy air, from the undertakers premises.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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