glum

[gluhm]

adjective

glummer, glummest 

1. sullenly or silently gloomy; dejected.

   Synonyms: despondent, sulky, moody, melancholy

glum

/ ɡlʌm /

adjective

1. silent or sullen, as from gloom

Other Word Forms

• glumness noun
• glumly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of glum¹

1425–75; late Middle English; variant of gloom

Word History and Origins

Origin of glum¹

C16: variant of _gloom

Synonym Study

Glum, morose, sullen, dour, surly all are adjectives describing a gloomy, unsociable attitude. Glum describes a depressed, spiritless condition or manner, usually temporary rather than habitual: a glum shrug of the shoulders; a glum, hopeless look in his eye. Morose, which adds to glum a sense of bitterness, implies a habitual and pervasive gloominess: a sour, morose manner; morose withdrawal from human contact. Sullen usually implies reluctance or refusal to speak accompanied by glowering looks expressing anger or a sense of injury: a sullen manner, silence, look. Dour refers to a stern and forbidding aspect, stony and unresponsive: dour rejection of friendly overtures. Surly implies gruffness of speech and manner, usually accompanied by an air of injury and ill temper: a surly reply.

Example Sentences

Sentiment across Europe's markets was glum as investors sold shares considered most vulnerable to Trump's tariffs.

From BBC

The state of workers’ rights in the wine industry is, in many regards, glum, due to low wages, difficult working conditions and lack of affordable housing in wine-producing areas.

From Salon

In the end he got an appearance at the end of the film, in the out-takes, "sat there with a little glum face".

From BBC

To the left was James Carville, hanging out in his polo shirt and looking increasingly glum as the evening wore on.

From Salon

But those disappointed by Swift's wrists woes need not stay glum for long.

From BBC

Related Words

• depressed 
• dismal 
• gloomy 
• melancholy 
• morose 
• sad