grim
gb/ɡɹˈɪm/ us/ɡɹˈɪm/
B1
English
~ 3800
komor, lesújtó, nyomasztó, zord, szigorú, könyörtelen, kegyetlen, ádáz
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is grim
The economic forecast for the next year is grim.
A gazdasági előrejelzés komor képet fest a következő évről.
After the accident, the mood in the office was grim.
A baleset után komor volt a hangulat az irodában.
The report painted a grim picture of the country's future.
She gave me a grim look when I mentioned the news.
The refugees faced grim conditions in the camp.
Learner examples
The weather today is grim.
Ma komor az idő.
The doctor gave us grim news.
Az orvos lesújtó hírt közölt velünk.
He looked grim after hearing the story.
The room felt grim and cold.
It was a grim day for the town.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'grim' with 'grin' due to similar spelling and pronunciation, but their meanings are unrelated.
Meaning
serious and unpleasant
Collocations
grim reality
|grim news
|grim situation
|grim outlook
|grim prospect
Synonyms
bleak (Suggests hopelessness and lack of comfort.)
|
dire (Emphasizes urgent danger or extreme seriousness.)
Antonyms
hopeful (Suggests expectation of good outcomes, opposite of hopelessness.)
|
pleasant (Describes something enjoyable rather than distressing.)
Themes
emotions
|descriptions
|news
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very serious or unpleasant, making you feel worried or sad.
Serious, severe, or depressing in a way that causes concern or sadness.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] looks grim
The judge's grim expression silenced the courtroom.
A bíró zord arckifejezése elnémította a tárgyalótermet.
He stood at the door with a grim face.
Zord arccal állt az ajtóban.
Her father looked grim when she came home late.
The coach gave the team a grim stare before practice.
A grim guard watched over the entrance.
Learner examples
He had a grim face.
Zord volt az arca.
The teacher looked grim today.
A tanár ma szigorúnak tűnt.
She saw his grim eyes.
The police officer was grim.
His mouth was set in a grim line.
Meaning
stern or forbidding appearance
Collocations
grim expression
|grim face
|grim determination
Synonyms
stern (Emphasizes strictness and seriousness in manner.)
|
forbidding (Highlights an intimidating or unfriendly appearance.)
Antonyms
friendly (Open and pleasant in appearance or manner.)
|
cheerful (Radiating happiness, opposite of sternness.)
Themes
descriptions
|emotions
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Looking very serious and not friendly.
Having a harsh, severe, or forbidding look or manner.
B2
LITERARY
3
Usage pattern:
a grim [struggle/task/battle]
They fought a grim battle against the invading army.
Ádáz csatát vívtak a betörő hadsereg ellen.
The miners worked in grim conditions for hours on end.
A bányászok órákon át kegyetlen körülmények között dolgoztak.
It was a grim contest between two evenly matched rivals.
She faced the challenges with grim determination.
The rescue team made a grim effort to reach the trapped hikers.
Learner examples
It was a grim fight.
Kegyetlen küzdelem volt.
They worked in grim heat.
Könyörtelen hőségben dolgoztak.
He showed grim strength.
The team had grim focus.
We had a grim job to do.
Meaning
harsh and unrelenting
Collocations
grim struggle
|grim battle
|grim determination
Synonyms
relentless (Stresses persistence without pause.)
|
merciless (Stresses lack of compassion or pity.)
Antonyms
lenient (Willing to be gentle or forgiving instead of harsh.)
|
easygoing (Relaxed and tolerant rather than strict or severe.)
Themes
descriptions
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very harsh and not giving up or showing kindness.
Harsh, merciless, and not allowing for relief or leniency.
Grammar
Dictionary form
grim
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈɪm/
US/ɡɹˈɪm/
Syllables & stress
grim (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (grim)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: grim
- Comparative: grimmer
- Superlative: grimmest
Word family
Forms
grimmer
adjective
grimmest
adjective
Core family
grimly
adverb
Related words
grimness
noun
Highlights
- Irregular comparative: grimmer Adjective
- Irregular superlative: grimmest Adjective
Expressions
grim determination
1/ɡɹˈɪm dɪtˌɚmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
firm resolve despite difficulty
Strong will to keep going even when things are very hard or unpleasant.
Examples
- She continued her training with grim determination.
- He faced the long climb ahead with grim determination.
grim reality
1/ɡɹˈɪm ɹiˈæləti/
fixed phrase
unpleasant truth about situation
A very bad or sad fact about life that you must accept.
Examples
- The film shows the grim reality of life in war zones.
- Losing his job made him face the grim reality of his finances.
grim reminder
1/ɡɹˈɪm ɹimˈaɪndɚ/
fixed phrase
unpleasant reminder of bad fact/event
Something that makes you think about an unpleasant fact or event again.
Examples
- The empty streets were a grim reminder of the disaster.
- His injury was a grim reminder of how dangerous the sport can be.