gloomy

UK: /ˈgluːmi/ US: /ˈglumi/ ,(glo̅o̅′mē)

Inflections of 'gloomy' (adj):

gloomier

adj comparative

gloomiest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

gloom•y /ˈglumi/   adj., -i•er, -i•est. 

1. dark or dim;
   deeply shaded:
   a gloomy prison cell.
2. causing sadness or depression:
   a gloomy situation.
3. hopeless or pessimistic:
   a gloomy view of the future.

gloom•i•ly, adv. 
gloom•i•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

gloom•y  (glo̅o̅′mē), adj., gloom•i•er, gloom•i•est. 

1. dark or dim;
   deeply shaded:
   gloomy skies.
2. causing gloom;
   dismal or depressing:
   a gloomy prospect.
3. filled with or showing gloom;
   sad, dejected, or melancholy.
4. hopeless or despairing;
   pessimistic:
   a gloomy view of the future.

• gloom + -y¹ 1580–90

gloom′i•ly, adv. 
gloom′i•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. . obscure, shadowy, dusky; lowering, threatening.
• 3. . downcast, downhearted, despondent, depressed, glum, dispirited.

Antonyms

• 3. . happy.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

gloomy / ˈɡluːmɪ/ adjective (gloomier, gloomiest)

1. dark or dismal
2. causing depression, dejection, or gloom: gloomy news
3. despairing; sad

ˈgloomily adverb

ˈgloominess noun