What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
glum
Example
He looked glum after hearing the bad news. [glum: adjective]
Example
The party was glum and boring, with no music or entertainment. [glum: adjective]
Example
The old abandoned house had a glum and eerie atmosphere. [glum: adjective]
gloomy
Example
She felt gloomy and hopeless after losing her job. [gloomy: adjective]
Example
The future looks gloomy and uncertain with the current economic crisis. [gloomy: adjective]
Example
The forest was gloomy and mysterious, with tall trees blocking out the sunlight. [gloomy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gloomy is more commonly used than glum in everyday language. Gloomy is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while glum is less common and refers to a specific type of negative emotion or situation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between glum and gloomy?
Both glum and gloomy are generally informal words, but gloomy can be used in more formal contexts due to its wider range of meanings.