Dictionary

gloomy

adjective \ˈglü-mē\

: somewhat dark : not bright or sunny

: causing feelings of sadness : not hopeful or promising

: sad or depressed

gloom·i·ergloom·i·est

Full Definition of GLOOMY

1
a :  partially or totally dark; especially :  dismally and depressingly dark <gloomy weather>
b :  having a frowning or scowling appearance :  forbidding <a gloomy countenance>
c :  low in spirits :  melancholy
2
a :  causing gloom :  depressing <a gloomy story> <a gloomy landscape>
b :  lacking in promise or hopefulness :  pessimistic <gloomy prophecies> <a gloomy future>
gloom·i·ly \-mə-lē\ adverb
gloom·i·ness \-mē-nəs\ noun
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First Known Use of GLOOMY

1588

Synonym Discussion of GLOOMY

dismal, dreary, bleak, gloomy, cheerless, desolate mean devoid of cheer or comfort. dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess <dismal weather>. dreary, often interchangeable with dismal, emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility <a dreary job>. bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten <the bleak years of the depression>. gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise <gloomy war news>. cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering <a drab and cheerless office>. desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect <a desolate outpost>.

sullen, glum, morose, surly, sulky, crabbed, saturnine, gloomy mean showing a forbidding or disagreeable mood. sullen implies a silent ill humor and a refusal to be sociable <remained sullen amid the festivities>. glum suggests a silent dispiritedness <a glum candidate left to ponder a stunning defeat>. morose adds to glum an element of bitterness or misanthropy <morose job seekers who are inured to rejection>. surly implies gruffness and sullenness of speech or manner <a typical surly teenager>. sulky suggests childish resentment expressed in peevish sullenness <grew sulky after every spat>. crabbed applies to a forbidding morose harshness of manner <the school's notoriously crabbed headmaster>. saturnine describes a heavy forbidding aspect or suggests a bitter disposition <a saturnine cynic always finding fault>. gloomy implies a depression in mood making for seeming sullenness or glumness <a gloomy mood ushered in by bad news>.

Rhymes with GLOOMY

GLOOMY Defined for Kids

gloomy

adjective \ˈglü-mē\
gloom·i·ergloom·i·est

Definition of GLOOMY for Kids

1
:  partly or completely dark
2
:  sad 1, blue
3
:  causing feelings of sadness <a gloomy story>
4
:  not hopeful or promising <The future looks gloomy.>
gloom·i·ly \-mə-lē\ adverb

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