Gloomy describes a place that is dark, dim, or shadowy, or a mood that is sad and without hope. It can refer to both physical darkness and emotional heaviness.
“Gloomy” comes from “gloom,” which in Old Norse and Middle English suggested darkness or twilight. Over time, the meaning expanded from physical dimness to emotional sadness.
Your brain actually links low light to low mood, which is why gloomy days can make people feel down. Writers use ‘gloomy’ to set both the weather and the emotional tone in a single word.
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