gloomy

[gloo-mee]

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.

gloomy

/ ˈɡluːmɪ /

adjective

1. dark or dismal

2. causing depression, dejection, or gloom

   gloomy news

3. despairing; sad

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gloomy¹

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

Synonym Study

See dark ( def. ).

Example Sentences

Things will undoubtedly look a lot gloomier in markets if tech’s penchant for overspending becomes a definitive miscalculation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

To be sure, the picture is less gloomy if one shifts the lens slightly.

Read more on Barron's

Confidence among German firms worsened in November, a result of a gloomier business outlook for the coming months.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Business leaders sound less gloomy about tariffs than they have for much of the year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Their gloomy outlook was in contrast with the most affluent families, who are enjoying stock-market gains and powering the economy with their spending.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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