gloom
B2Formal, literary, journalistic; informal in the idiom 'gloom and doom'.
Definition
Meaning
partial or total darkness.
A state of melancholy or depression; an atmosphere of despondency.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a mass noun referring to a state or atmosphere. Can describe both literal darkness and metaphorical emotional states. Often paired with 'doom'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both varieties use it identically.
Connotations
Slightly more literary in both varieties; common in weather reporting ('gloomy skies').
Frequency
Comparable frequency; perhaps slightly higher in UK due to climate descriptions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + gloom: cast/spread/dispel/chase away + the gloom[adjective] + gloom: deep/lingering/palpable + gloomgloom + [verb phrase]: gloom descended/settled/loomedgloom + [preposition]: gloom over/about/amongVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gloom and doom”
- “cast a gloom over something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Often describes pessimistic market sentiment or forecasts. 'Investor gloom spread after the quarterly results.'
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or psychological analyses of mood or atmosphere. 'The novel is suffused with a Victorian gloom.'
Everyday
Describes weather, mood, or a depressing situation. 'I can't stand the gloom of these short winter days.'
Technical
Rare; in meteorology or photography for low light conditions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The sky gloomed over the moors.
- He sat glooming in his study.
American English
- Clouds gloomed over the mountains.
- She gloomed about the house all weekend.
adverb
British English
- He stared gloom out the window.
- She predicted the outcome gloom.
American English
- He spoke gloom about the future.
- The day began gloom.
adjective
British English
- A gloom room in the old mansion.
- The report made for gloom reading.
American English
- A gloom outlook for the industry.
- It was a gloom prospect.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The room was in gloom after sunset.
- Don't sit in the gloom, turn on a light!
- A sense of gloom filled the office after the announcement.
- The economic news has cast a gloom over the country.
- The gathering gloom of the forest made them quicken their pace.
- Despite the prevailing gloom among critics, the play was a popular success.
- Her initial optimism soon gave way to a profound and unshakeable gloom.
- The historian analysed the political gloom that descended on Europe in the 1930s.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GLOOM sounds like 'gloom-y room' – think of a dark, depressing room.
Conceptual Metaphor
SADNESS IS DARKNESS / A BAD MOOD IS BAD WEATHER
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'глум' (mockery, derision).
- Avoid direct translation of 'in gloom' as 'в мраке' when referring to mood; use 'в унынии', 'в подавленном настроении'.
- 'Gloomy' for a person is 'мрачный', 'угрюмый', not 'глумливый'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'a gloom' (incorrect with indefinite article for abstract sense). *'He felt a gloom.' (correct: 'He felt gloom' or 'He felt gloomy').
- Confusing 'gloom' (noun) with 'gloomy' (adjective).
- Misspelling as 'gloome'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a typical collocation with 'gloom'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily uncountable when referring to darkness or a mood. It is rarely used countably (e.g., 'the glooms' is archaic).
'Gloom' is a general, often temporary, state of low spirits or darkness. 'Depression' is a more severe, persistent, and clinical condition.
Yes, but it's rare and literary (e.g., 'Clouds gloomed overhead'). The adjective 'gloomy' and the noun are far more common.
Yes. It's an idiom meaning a persistently pessimistic outlook, often used dismissively (e.g., 'Ignore all that gloom and doom; things aren't that bad').