glum
gb/ɡlˈʌm/ us/ɡlˈʌm/
B2
English
kedvetlen, levert, mogorva, duzzogó, borús, lehangoló
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] looks/feels glum
He was glum after reading the email.
Az e-mail elolvasása után kedvetlen lett.
She gave a glum little nod and went back to work.
Kedvetlenül biccentett egyet, aztán visszament dolgozni.
The kids were glum when the trip got cancelled.
Learner examples
I feel glum today.
Ma kedvetlen vagyok.
He looks glum.
Kedvetlennek látszik.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse glum (sad) with gloomy (often about places/weather) or glam (stylish).
Meaning
sad and lacking cheer
Collocations
look glum
|feel glum
|a glum expression
|a glum face
|a glum mood
|a glum smile
|sit glumly
|sound glum
|turn glum
|seem glum
Synonyms
sad (more general and more common.)
|
unhappy (often focuses on dissatisfaction as well as sadness.)
|
downcast (suggests a visibly low mood.)
|
gloomy (often stronger; can also describe atmosphere or outlook.)
Antonyms
cheerful (showing happiness and optimism.)
|
bright (lively and positive in mood or expression.)
Themes
emotions
|daily_life
Definition
sad and not cheerful
Looking or feeling unhappy, with little energy or cheerfulness.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is glum (because/of/after [something])
He went glum and stopped answering questions.
Mogorva lett, és nem válaszolt többé a kérdésekre.
She stayed glum all evening after the argument.
A veszekedés után egész este mogorva maradt.
The team was glum in the locker room, barely speaking.
Learner examples
He is glum because he is angry.
Mogorva, mert mérges.
She became glum and quiet.
Mogorva és csendes lett.
Common mistake:
Glum can mean ‘sullen’ (annoyed and silent), not only ‘sad.’
Meaning
sullen and unwilling to talk
Collocations
a glum silence
|glum and quiet
|glum and withdrawn
|glum teenager
|glum refusal
|glumly ignore [someone]
|sit glumly
|remain glum
|go glum
|look glumly at [someone/something]
Synonyms
sullen (more clearly linked to annoyance; less about sadness.)
|
moody (suggests changing moods; can be less specific.)
|
sulky (often used for childish or immature behavior.)
Antonyms
friendly (open and willing to engage with others.)
|
talkative (willing to speak and interact.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|communication
Definition
quietly angry and not talking much
Quietly angry or annoyed, and not wanting to talk or take part.
C1
3
Usage pattern:
a glum [day/place/room/outlook]
It was a glum, rainy afternoon with low clouds.
Borús, esős délután volt, alacsony felhőkkel.
The meeting ended on a glum note after the budget news.
A költségvetési hírek után a megbeszélés lehangoló hangulatban ért véget.
They drove through a glum industrial district at dusk.
Learner examples
The weather is glum today.
Ma borús az idő.
Meaning
dark and depressing in atmosphere
Collocations
a glum day
|glum weather
|a glum room
|a glum atmosphere
|a glum outlook
|a glum forecast
Synonyms
gloomy (the most common word for dark or depressing atmosphere.)
|
dreary (emphasizes dullness and lack of brightness or interest.)
Antonyms
bright (full of light or a positive feel.)
|
uplifting (making you feel happier or more hopeful.)
Themes
emotions
|weather
|travel
|arts
Definition
making you feel sad or depressed
Creating a gloomy or depressing feeling, especially in a situation or atmosphere.
Grammar
Dictionary form
glum
IPA
GB/ɡlˈʌm/
US/ɡlˈʌm/
Syllables & stress
glum (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (glum)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: glum
- Comparative: glummer
- Superlative: glummest
Word family
Expressions
be glum about
1/bˈi ɡlˈʌm əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
be unhappy about something
to be sad about something
Examples
- They were glum about the delay but accepted it.
- He’s glum about his exam score.
- She sounded glum about moving away.
Learner examples
- I am glum about the news.
feel glum
1/fˈil ɡlˈʌm/
fixed phrase
feel sad or low
to feel sad
Examples
- I felt glum after the weekend ended.
- He’s been feeling glum since the breakup.
- She felt glum but tried to stay busy.
Learner examples
- I feel glum.
- She feels glum today.
get the glums
1/ɡˈɛt ðə ɡlˈʌmz/
fixed phrase
informal
become sad and sulky
to start feeling sad and sulky
Examples
- He gets the glums whenever it rains for days.
- Don’t get the glums—there will be other chances.
- She got the glums after the call and went quiet.
Learner examples
- I get the glums in winter.
have the glums
1/hˈæv ðə ɡlˈʌmz/
fixed phrase
informal
be in a sulky mood
to feel sad and sulky
Examples
- Don’t worry—he just has the glums today.
- I had the glums all morning, then I went for a run.
- She’s got the glums because her plans fell through.
Learner examples
- He has the glums today.
look glum
1/lˈʊk ɡlˈʌm/
fixed phrase
appear sad or unhappy
to look sad
Examples
- You look glum—what happened?
- She looked glum when she heard the result.
- He looked glum and avoided eye contact.
Learner examples
- You look glum.
- I look glum today.