Gloom
/ɡluːm/noun
A state of darkness, sadness, or a dim, oppressive atmosphere.
Did you know?The word is related to Middle English terms for dimness and obscurity, not to any ancient curse, but it became one of English’s most atmospheric words for emotional darkness.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
glōm
“twilight, darkness”
Middle English
ME
glome / gloum
“darkness, dimness”
16th Century
English
gloom
“darkness, obscurity”
18th Century
English
gloom
“melancholy, depression”
Modern English
English
gloom
“a dark, depressing, or dismal state or atmosphere”