gloom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gloom" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of darkness, sadness, or a feeling of despair. Example: "The news of the disaster cast a shadow of gloom over the entire community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hopkinson, who wrote a report on rural churches earlier this year that called for urgent reforms in some aspects of their administration, says a tiny congregation is not necessarily a cause for gloom: "It's very important to honour the small.

The Guardian

But it was not all doom and gloom for the glossies.

The Guardian

Newspaper publishers were waking up to lucrative possibilities: postwar gloom had lifted, shiny new products were on the shelves; cars, televisions and holidays were within the reach of ordinary people.

The Guardian

The gloom hits you from the very first sentence: "One grim winter evening, when it had a kind of un-realness about London, with a fog sleeping restlessly over the city and the lights showing in the blur as if not London at all but some strange place on another planet..."....

The Guardian - Books

We have been governed for five years by a remarkably successful coalition of Tory and Lib-Dem politicians, moving from a position of deep financial gloom to one of real optimism with nearly full employment and the prospect of growth enabling resources to support institutions such as the NHS.

The Guardian

In the misty gloom we draw towards buildings with black-tiled roofs and red pillars, like the palaces in Seoul.

The Guardian - Travel

One of the few to remain is the Iglesia San Francisco, its uneven floors and walls and sparsely decorated chapel belying the effort behind its construction, its quiet gloom a testimony to the might of the city's founder, Pedro de Valdivia.

The Guardian - Travel

He thinks it's good that Sheffield has been diversifying: "We've lost the steel industry, but there's more opportunities for people to work in retail, in different avenues … it's not all doom and gloom".

The Guardian

Taxi drivers have to loop around to find it, you have to walk through a semi-construction area to get there from the SkyBus, and once you arrive – gloom descends.

The Guardian - Travel

Birmingham finally shook off their travel sickness with a 3-1 win at Millwall which deepened the gloom at The Den. Clayton Donaldson grabbed his third goal of the season and David Cotterill his second in two games to put the Blues in control at the break.

The Guardian - Sport

Merkel's gloom was all the more striking for coming directly after she spent four hours in private with Putin at the G20 summit in Brisbane.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "gloom" with sensory details to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. For example, "the heavy gloom of the forest" or "the oppressive gloom of failure".

Common error

Avoid using "gloom" when describing pleasant or joyful situations. While it can be used ironically, ensure the context makes your intent clear. Overusing it can lead to unintentionally negative connotations, diminishing your desired message.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gloom" is a noun, referring to darkness, dimness, or a state of melancholy. It can also function as a verb, meaning to look or feel sad. Ludwig AI confirms this with various examples showing its usage in describing atmospheres and emotional states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Travel

15%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Business

8%

Music

5%

Film

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gloom" is a versatile term with a prominent role as a noun or verb within the English language, frequently employed to portray shades of sadness, darkness, and despondency. Ludwig AI, along with diverse examples, affirms its correctness and utility, particularly within news, travel, and sports-related contexts. While generally neutral in tone, using "gloom" demands careful consideration; overusing it or placing it inappropriately risks skewing your intended message negatively. Consider more contextually suited alternatives, such as "darkness", "despondency", or "melancholy", when greater precision is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

darkness

Focuses more on the absence of light, shifting the emphasis from emotion to a physical state.

despondency

Highlights a state of low spirits and loss of hope, emphasizing the emotional aspect.

melancholy

Suggests a contemplative sadness, often with a sense of longing or reflection.

sadness

Is a more general term for unhappiness, lacking the depth of despair that "gloom" can imply.

depression

Indicates a more severe and prolonged state of low mood, often requiring clinical intervention.

bleakness

Emphasizes a sense of barrenness or desolation, often in a landscape or situation.

despair

Represents a complete loss of hope, suggesting a more intense and overwhelming emotion than "gloom".

somberness

Conveys a serious and grave mood, often associated with formality or solemnity.

dismay

Highlights a feeling of shock and disappointment, often in response to unexpected bad news.

oppression

Indicates a sense of being weighed down or burdened, either physically or emotionally.

FAQs

How can I use "gloom" in a sentence?

You can use "gloom" to describe a dark or depressing atmosphere. For example, "The "gloom" in the room was palpable" or "A sense of "gloom" settled over the town after the factory closed".

What words can I use instead of "gloom"?

Alternatives to "gloom" include "darkness", "despondency", "melancholy", or "sadness" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "feeling gloom"?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to say "a feeling of "gloom"" or "a sense of "gloom"". The latter phrases are more idiomatic and flow more naturally in English.

What's the difference between "gloom" and "despair"?

"Gloom" suggests a state of sadness or darkness, while "despair" indicates a complete loss of hope. "Gloom" is a less intense emotion than "despair".