gloomiest

Gloomiest is the superlative form of the adjective gloomy. It describes the most extreme degree of gloom, whether in a person’s mood, an atmosphere, or a forecast.

Origin and form: Gloomy derives from the noun gloom; the standard comparative is gloomier and the standard superlative is gloomiest. While some writers may opt for more gloomy, the forms gloomier and gloomiest are widely accepted as the neutral, conventional variants in formal writing.

Usage: The term is common in weather reporting and literary description and can carry a strong negative connotation. It can be used figuratively to describe a discouraging outlook, e.g., “the gloomiest forecast in years” or “the gloomiest mood in the office.” The word is more forceful than gloomier, though not necessarily hyperbolic.

Related terms: gloom, gloominess, gloomy. See also idioms such as gloom and doom. The term’s connotations are predominantly negative, and it is typically used where a high degree of bleakness or sadness needs emphasis.