What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overcast
Example
The forecast predicts an overcast day with a chance of rain. [overcast: adjective]
Example
The sky was overcast, and it looked like it would rain soon. [overcast: noun]
gloomy
Example
The weather has been gloomy for days, and it's starting to affect my mood. [gloomy: adjective]
Example
She had a gloomy outlook on life and always saw the negative side of things. [gloomy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overcast is more commonly used to describe the weather, while gloomy is more commonly used to describe a person's mood or a place.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between overcast and gloomy?
Both overcast and gloomy are relatively neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
