What does gloom mean?
Gloom is a noun for a pervasive mood of sadness, despondency, or foreboding and, in a more physical sense, for deep darkness or murk. The emotional sense is especially common in expressions such as economic gloom and a pervasive sense of gloom. Unlike the more clinical term depression, gloom usually suggests an atmosphere of sorrow or uncertainty rather than necessarily naming a medical condition. It can describe a room, a landscape, a period of history, or the general outlook of a group. As a verb, gloom is uncommon and chiefly literary: to gloom means to become dark or to look sullen. The word is useful because it moves easily between literal obscurity and emotional heaviness. It also participates in the familiar phrase “gloom and doom,” which gives the idea a strong sense of unavoidable pessimism. Across these uses, gloom conveys a subdued, atmospheric quality rather than a sudden, explosive emotion.
A state of melancholy, despondency, or foreboding, or a condition of deep and oppressive darkness.
"The report painted a grim picture of economic gloom across the region."
When referring to sadness, gloom often suggests a widespread or sustained mood rather than a brief feeling.
To look or become sullen, dark, or oppressive.
"The sky gloomed over before the storm arrived."
This verb is uncommon and chiefly literary or poetic.
The plural is grammatically correct but uncommon, often appearing in literary contexts that refer to separate instances or periods of gloom.
"Brief glooms of doubt passed through her mind."
Gloom crosses the boundary between literal darkness and emotional despair, making it a word for both what the world looks like and how the world feels.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gloom come from?
The word descends from Old English glōm, meaning “darkness” or “twilight,” and appeared in Middle English in forms such as glom and gloom. It is related to cognates including Dutch gloom and Scandinavian forms such as glom. Its modern sense for melancholy developed alongside its older atmospheric and figurative uses.
Related word forms
How gloom is actually used
The noun is common in both British and American English. Its emotional sense often conveys a collective or atmospheric mood rather than a sudden emotional reaction; the verb is uncommon and chiefly literary.
Easily confused with gloom
Glum describes a person who looks sullen or unhappy, whereas gloom names the resulting mood or atmosphere of melancholy or darkness.