glumly
gb/ɡlˈʌmli/ us/ɡlˈʌmli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
in a sad, unhappy way
in a sad and not happy way
Usage pattern:
[someone] [verb] glumly
Common mistake:
Often confused with gloomily; glumly is more about a person’s expression or mood than a general atmosphere.
Synonyms
sadly (more general and common; less focused on expression.)
|
dejectedly (stronger sense of disappointment or loss of confidence.)
|
gloomily (often suggests a darker mood or pessimism.)
Antonyms
cheerfully (shows happiness and positive energy.)
|
brightly (suggests a lively, upbeat tone.)
Collocations
look glumly
|smile glumly
|say glumly
|reply glumly
|nod glumly
|watch glumly
|stare glumly
|sit glumly
|glance glumly
|walk glumly
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily_life
Examples
- He looked glumly at the empty seats and sighed.
- She smiled glumly and said she’d try again tomorrow.
- They listened glumly as the final score was announced.
Learner examples
- He spoke glumly.
- She looked glumly at the rain.
adverb
B2
property
2
in a sullen, unfriendly way
in a quiet, unfriendly way because you are annoyed
Usage pattern:
[someone] [verb] glumly (at/through [someone/something])
Common mistake:
Don’t use glumly to mean simply ‘quietly’; it implies a negative mood (sulkiness or unhappiness).
Synonyms
sullenly (more directly about resentment and silence.)
|
morosely (more literary; emphasizes a dark, withdrawn mood.)
Antonyms
warmly (shows friendliness and openness.)
|
pleasantly (shows an agreeable attitude.)
Collocations
sit glumly
|stare glumly
|glumly refuse
|glumly accept
|glumly shake (one's) head
|glumly glance
|glumly mutter
|glumly shrug
|glumly ignore
|glumly endure
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|communication
Examples
- He sat glumly in the corner and wouldn’t join the conversation.
- She answered glumly, as if the question had annoyed her.
- The teenager stared glumly at his phone and ignored his dad.
Learner examples
- He sat glumly and said nothing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
glumly
IPA
GB/ɡlˈʌmli/
US/ɡlˈʌmli/
Syllables & stress
glumly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (glumly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: glumly
- Plural: glumlies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.