gloomy

/ˈɡluːmi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡluːmi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈglü-mē/ (ame, mw)

gloomy — adjective

  • gloomypositive
  • gloomiercomparative
  • gloomiestsuperlative

1. feeling very sad and thinking that good things will not happen again

1.形容詞B1
釋義

feeling very sad and thinking that good things will not happen again

例句

After the exam results, Amelia felt gloomy and did not want to talk.

feel gloomy + reason clause

The gloomy expression on Hao's face showed that he had bad news.

gloomy + noun (expression/face)

同義詞
  • sad

    more general and milder; the basic word for unhappiness

  • melancholy

    more literary and formal; suggests a deep, thoughtful sadness

  • glum

    describes a silent, sulky unhappiness, often shown on the face

  • dejected

    suggests sadness caused by a specific disappointment or failure

反義詞
  • cheerful

    showing happiness and good spirits

  • happy

    the general opposite of any sad feeling

文法句型

be/look/feel/seem + gloomy

gloomy + noun (mood/expression/face)

用法筆記

Describes a temporary mood rather than a long-term condition. For more serious or lasting sadness, use 'depressed'.

常見錯誤

❌After losing his job, he felt gloomy for two years.
✅After losing his job, he felt depressed for two years.
💡'Gloomy' suggests a temporary mood; use 'depressed' for long-term sadness.

2. believing that things will end badly or that nothing good will come of a situati

2.形容詞B2
釋義

believing that things will end badly or that nothing good will come of a situation

例句

Economists gave a gloomy report on the country's job market.

gloomy report on [topic]

Manuela felt gloomy about her chances of getting into medical school.

feel gloomy about + noun phrase

同義詞
  • pessimistic

    more formal and precise; the direct synonym for this sense

  • bleak

    stronger; suggests a situation that offers no hope at all

  • hopeless

    stronger finality; implies no possibility of improvement

  • negative

    milder and more general; can describe any unfavourable attitude

反義詞
  • optimistic

    expecting good things to happen

  • hopeful

    feeling that something desired will happen

  • positive

    focusing on the good aspects of a situation

文法句型

gloomy + noun (report/prediction/outlook)

be/feel gloomy about + noun/-ing

用法筆記

Often used with 'about' to specify what someone is pessimistic about. Common in news reports about the economy, politics, or business.

常見錯誤

❌She felt gloomy about her friend's sadness.
✅She felt gloomy about her job interview next week.
💡This sense is about expecting bad outcomes, not about feeling sad for someone.

3. so dark that it feels unpleasant or uncomfortable to be there

3.形容詞B1
釋義

so dark that it feels unpleasant or uncomfortable to be there

例句

The old house had gloomy hallways with no windows at all.

gloomy + room/building (poorly lit place)

Adisa opened the curtains to let light into the gloomy living room.

同義詞
  • dark

    neutral word for little or no light; does not carry emotional weight

  • dim

    not bright enough to see well; neutral and practical

  • dreary

    adds a sense of dullness and boredom to the lack of light

  • murky

    suggests it is hard to see through fog, smoke, or dirty water

反義詞

文法句型

gloomy + noun (room/sky/forest)

be/look/seem/turn + gloomy

用法筆記

Unlike neutral words like 'dark' or 'dim', gloomy carries a negative emotional tone — the darkness feels oppressive or depressing, not merely absent of light.

常見錯誤

❌I turned on a small lamp because the room was gloomy.
✅I turned on a small lamp because the room was dim.
💡If the darkness is neutral and easily fixed by a light, use 'dim' or 'dark' instead of the emotionally loaded 'gloomy'.