partial or total darkness a state of depression or melancholy an appearance or expression of despondency or melancholy a dim or dark place
- (intransitive)
to look sullen or depressed to make or become dark or gloomy
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
gloom /glum/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- total or partial darkness;
dimness:couldn't see in the gloom. - a state of sadness or depression:I was filled with gloom.
gloom
(glo̅o̅m),USA pronunciation n.
v.i.
v.t.
gloom′ful, adj.
gloom′ful•ly, adv.
gloom′less, adj.
- total or partial darkness;
dimness. - a state of melancholy or depression;
low spirits. - a despondent or depressed look or expression.
v.i.
- to appear or become dark, dim, or somber.
- to look sad, dismal, or dejected;
frown.
v.t.
- to fill with gloom;
make gloomy or sad;
sadden. - to make dark or somber.
- 1300–50; Middle English gloumben, glomen to frown, perh. representing Old English *glūmian (akin to early German gläumen to make turbid); see glum
gloom′ful•ly, adv.
gloom′less, adj.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged shadow, shade, obscurity.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged dejection, despondency, sadness.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged brightness.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged cheerfulness.
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