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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Grim Definition, Usage, and Example Sentences (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：very bad or depressing (grim)

grim 🔊

/ɡrɪm/

adj.

Something that is very bad, worrying, and unpleasant, with no hope of improvement.

Grim meaning illustrated by a bleak, stormy landscape with a leafless tree.

very bad or depressing 🔊

➕

/ˈveri bæd ɔːr dɪˈpresɪŋ/

adj.

Describes a situation or prospect that is extremely unpleasant, worrying, and offers no hope of getting better.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'grimm' meaning fierce, savage.

💡 Mnemonic

GRIMace on a GRIM reaper's face. Both look very serious and unfriendly.

📖 Example

The weather forecast painted a grim picture for the weekend, with non-stop heavy rain and strong winds. 🔊 The meteorological report predicted a very dismal outlook for the weekend, characterized by continuous heavy rainfall and powerful gusts.

🔗 Collocations

grim reality – the unpleasant and inescapable truth of a situation

grim outlook – a pessimistic forecast for the future

grim situation – a very difficult and hopeless set of circumstances

🔄 Synonyms

bleak (adj.) – lacking in warmth, life, or kindliness; offering little or no hope

dire (adj.) – extremely serious or urgent; dreadful in nature

dismal (adj.) – causing gloom or depression; dreary

🚫 Antonyms

hopeful (adj.) – feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event

bright (adj.) – full of light; promising and likely to be successful or happy

🌱 Derivatives

grimly (adv.) – in a very serious, gloomy, or depressing manner

grimness (n.) – the quality of being grim

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Old English, describing a fierce or cruel appearance. Historically used for stern warriors or harsh conditions, now often describes harsh realities in news or serious expressions.

Meaning 2：stern-faced (grim)

grim 🔊

/ɡrɪm/

adj.

Describing a person's face or expression that is very serious and stern, often because of bad news or determination.

Grim expression shown in a stern, unsmiling portrait with dramatic lighting.

stern-faced 🔊

➕

/ˈstɜːrn-feɪst/

adj.

Describes a person's facial expression or demeanor that is very serious, severe, and lacking any hint of cheerfulness, often due to bad news, concern, or strong determination.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The doctor's grim expression told me the test results were not good before he even spoke. 🔊 The physician's very serious and unsmiling countenance informed me that the laboratory findings were unfavorable even prior to his verbal communication.

🔗 Collocations

grim expression – a facial look that is very serious and forbidding

grim determination – a very serious and resolute form of resolve

look grim – to have a very serious or worried appearance

🔄 Synonyms

stern (adj.) – serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority or discipline

serious (adj.) – solemn or thoughtful in character or manner

unsmiling (adj.) – not smiling; having a solemn face

🚫 Antonyms

cheerful (adj.) – noticeably happy and optimistic

smiling (adj.) – having a pleased, kind, or amused facial expression