What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gloom
Example
The sky was filled with gloom and rain. [gloom: noun]
Example
She felt a sense of gloom after hearing the bad news. [gloom: noun]
melancholy
Example
The music had a melancholy tone that made her feel sad. [melancholy: adjective]
Example
He was overcome with melancholy after the loss of his pet. [melancholy: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gloom is more commonly used in everyday language than melancholy. Gloom is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while melancholy is less common and has a more specific connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gloom and melancholy?
Both gloom and melancholy are formal words that are not commonly used in casual conversation. However, melancholy is often associated with a more literary or poetic style of writing, while gloom is more neutral in tone.
