gloomy face

USAGE SUMMARY

'gloomy face' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person's facial expression when they are sad or disappointed, for example: She walked into the room wearing a gloomy face.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Mara preferred to speak as little as possible, looking like a somewhat disinterested teen in a gothy black outfit and pale, gloomy face makeup.

Los Angeles Times

It's also the hometown of Carrillo Fuentes, the capo of Ciudad Juárez, but he assured us that they were not his relatives, but with that last name and gloomy face, no one believed him.

Vice

They don't want a gloomy face on the squad!

WikiHow

Your personality should be bubbly and cheerful, no one wants to see a gloomy face.

WikiHow

No one wants to see a gloomy face on the last day of school.

WikiHow

Nobody likes unhappy people and will not like to listen to your problems or come to your office just to see your serious and gloomy face.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Nevertheless, amid all the glitz and ballyhoo at the opening of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week, there are plenty of gloomy faces.

The Economist

"I think if you had asked me the question 12 months ago I think I would have sat here pretty gloomy faced," he told Press Association Sport.

Independent

The Devils' dressing room was full of gloomy faces after a third-period collapse led to a 5-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at Air Canada Center.

The New York Times - Sports

Far from the gloomy faces visible during St. John's three-game losing streak last month, the Red Storm (7-6, 1-1 Big East) was unusually upbeat.

The New York Times - Sports

If all around you are gloomy faces, then don't reflect that mood back.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gloomy face" to vividly describe someone's unhappiness or disappointment in writing. It adds a touch of emotional color, enhancing the reader's understanding of the character's state.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of "gloomy face" when describing characters in dialogue. Vary your descriptions with different expressions and body language cues to prevent repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gloomy face" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "gloomy" modifies the noun "face". It describes a facial expression indicative of sadness, unhappiness, or pessimism. As indicated by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "gloomy face" is a grammatically sound and valid English phrase used to portray sadness or unhappiness through a person's facial expression. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively uncommon, the phrase finds its place primarily in news and media, as well as in wiki articles. The register is considered neutral, making it suitable for various communication contexts. Alternatives such as "sad expression" or "downcast look" can be used for variety. When writing, aim for vivid descriptions of emotion without overusing specific phrases. The phrase is best employed when you want to quickly and effectively communicate someone’s dejected mood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sad expression

Focuses on the outward manifestation of sadness, a more general term.

unhappy countenance

Replaces "face" with a more formal synonym, "countenance", and "gloomy" with "unhappy".

downcast look

Emphasizes the direction of the gaze as indicative of sadness or depression.

melancholy features

Uses "melancholy" to describe a state of pensive sadness, replacing "gloomy".

depressed visage

Employs "visage", a formal term for face, and uses "depressed" to convey a stronger sense of sadness.

forlorn appearance

Shifts the focus to the overall look, suggesting abandonment or desolation.

mournful aspect

Implies a deeper sorrow or grief, more intense than simple gloom.

somber features

Describes the face as serious and grave, less intensely sad but still conveying unhappiness.

pessimistic expression

Highlights the underlying attitude of expecting the worst, reflected in the face.

despondent face

Uses the word "despondent" to show a state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage.

FAQs

How can I use "gloomy face" in a sentence?

You can use "gloomy face" to describe someone's appearance when they are sad, disappointed, or unhappy. For instance, "She had a gloomy face after receiving the bad news."

What are some alternatives to "gloomy face"?

Some alternatives include "sad expression", "unhappy countenance", or "downcast look", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is "gloomy face" formal or informal?

"Gloomy face" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "melancholy features" might be preferred in certain situations.

Can "gloomy face" be used to describe objects or situations?

While "gloomy face" primarily describes a person's expression, you can use it metaphorically to describe objects or situations that evoke a similar feeling of sadness or dreariness. For example, "The old house had a gloomy face, with its peeling paint and boarded-up windows."