looming: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; common in written news, reports, literature, and descriptive speech.
Quick answer
What does “looming” mean?
Appearing as a large, often threatening shape, especially indistinctly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Appearing as a large, often threatening shape, especially indistinctly; (of an event) seeming about to happen in a worrying or significant way.
Used figuratively to describe something that is imminent and often perceived as threatening, oppressive, or dominant, creating a sense of foreboding.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical; both varieties associate the word with threat, importance, and imminence.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American news media regarding political or economic crises, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “looming” in a Sentence
[subject] + is looming[subject] + looming + over + [object][subject] + loom + large[event] + is looming + on the horizonVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “looming” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- A dark shape was looming in the mist.
- The threat of redundancies is looming for the staff.
American English
- Storm clouds loomed on the horizon.
- Final exams are looming, so I need to study.
adverb
British English
- The castle stood loomingly against the sky. (rare)
American English
- The mountain appeared loomingly through the fog. (rare)
adjective
British English
- The looming tower cast a long shadow.
- They discussed the looming crisis in the NHS.
American English
- She felt anxious about the looming deadline.
- The looming skyscrapers of Manhattan are impressive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to impending deadlines, financial crises, or market downturns (e.g., 'a looming merger').
Academic
Used in social sciences and history to describe impending societal changes or crises (e.g., 'the looming conflict').
Everyday
Common for personal deadlines or visible objects (e.g., 'a looming exam', 'a looming mountain').
Technical
In meteorology, can describe an optical phenomenon where objects appear elevated; otherwise rare.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “looming”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “looming”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “looming”
- Using for positive events (e.g., 'a looming celebration' – better: 'an upcoming celebration').
- Confusing with 'blooming'.
- Using as a noun (e.g., 'a loom' is the machine; the gerund 'looming' is not a standalone noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is strongly discouraged. 'Looming' carries connotations of threat or worry. For positive imminent events, use 'upcoming', 'forthcoming', or 'approaching'.
'Looming' often adds a visual or psychological dimension of a large, overshadowing presence. 'Impending' is more neutral and formal, focusing solely on the fact that something is about to happen.
It can function as both: as the present participle of the verb 'to loom' (e.g., 'A ship is looming'), and as a participial adjective (e.g., 'a looming problem').
It's an idiom meaning 'to be of great importance, especially as a source of worry'. Example: 'The issue of security loomed large during the elections.'
Appearing as a large, often threatening shape, especially indistinctly.
Looming is usually neutral to formal; common in written news, reports, literature, and descriptive speech. in register.
Looming: in British English it is pronounced /ˈluːmɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlumɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Loom large (to be of great importance, especially in a worrying way)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a large, shadowy LOOM (weaving machine) that seems to grow and approach – it's LOOMING over you.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FUTURE IS A LARGE, APPROACHING OBJECT (often a shadow or storm cloud) that can be threatening and dominant.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'looming' LEAST appropriate?