Definition

1. Noun:
   • A state of near or complete darkness; dimness: A lack of light, making it difficult to see.
   • A state of melancholy, depression, or despondency: A feeling of deep sadness, hopelessness, or a pervasive atmosphere of low spirits.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Darkness):
  • The gloom of the forest made it hard to follow the path.
  • He turned on the lamp to chase away the gloom in the corner of the room.
• Noun (Sadness/Depression):
  • A sense of gloom settled over the team after their defeat.
  • The news cast a deep gloom over the entire community.

Advanced Usage

• "to be shrouded/veiled in gloom": To be enveloped in or characterized by a deep, pervasive sadness or darkness.
  • The city was shrouded in gloom after the tragic event.
• "to dispel the gloom": To remove or drive away feelings of sadness or physical darkness.
  • Her cheerful laughter helped to dispel the gloom in the house.

Variants and Related Words

• Gloomy (adj): Dark or poorly lit; causing or feeling depression or despondency.
  • It was a gloomy, overcast day.
  • He felt gloomy about his prospects.
• Gloomily (adv): In a dark or melancholy manner.
  • She stared gloomily out the window.

Synonyms

• Darkness: The partial or total absence of light.
• Melancholy: A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.
• Despondency: A state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage.

Related Phrases

• Gloom and doom: A phrase describing a pessimistic outlook or prediction of disastrous events.
  • The report was full of gloom and doom about the economic future.

Noun

1. an atmosphere of depression and melancholy
   • gloom pervaded the office
2. a feeling of melancholy apprehension
3. a state of partial or total darkness
   • he struck a match to dispel the gloom