Reading Theme:
Looming Meaning, Examples, and Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：imminently threatening (looming)
looming
/ˈluːmɪŋ/
adj.
Something bad or important that is going to happen very soon and you can feel the worry about it.
imminently threatening
➕
/ˈɪmɪnəntli ˈθrɛtənɪŋ/
adj.
Describes a troubling event or deadline that is approaching quickly, causing anxiety.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From 'loom' (appear as a large shape) + '-ing'.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a loom weaving dark cloth that slowly covers the sky, creating a sense of approaching doom.
📖 Example
With the looming deadline for his final project, Tom felt a knot of anxiety in his stomach every time he sat at his desk.
With the looming deadline for his final project, Tom felt a knot of anxiety in his stomach every time he sat at his desk.
🔗 Collocations
looming deadline – a deadline that is approaching and causing stress
looming threat – a threat that is about to happen and is worrying
looming crisis – a crisis that is imminent and unavoidable
🔄 Synonyms
imminent (adj.) – About to happen very soon
impending (adj.) – About to occur, usually something bad
approaching (adj.) – Drawing near in time
🌱 Derivatives
loom (v.) – to appear as a large, threatening shape or to be imminent
📖 Cultural Story
Originates from Old English 'gelōma' meaning 'to move slowly and heavily'. Later evolved to describe a threatening or indistinct appearance.
Meaning 2：appearing as a large dark shape (looming)
looming
/ˈluːmɪŋ/
adj.
Describing something very large that appears in an unclear and often frightening way in the distance, like through fog or darkness.
appearing as a large dark shape
➕
/əˈpɪrɪŋ æz ə lɑrdʒ dɑrk ʃeɪp/
adj.
Describes something very large that appears vaguely and often menacingly in the distance, like through fog or darkness.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Through the morning mist, the looming shape of the mountain gradually became clearer, dominating the entire horizon.
Through the morning mist, the looming shape of the mountain gradually became clearer, dominating the entire horizon.
🔗 Collocations
looming mountain – a large mountain that appears vaguely and dominantly in the distance
looming silhouette – a dark outline of something large that is indistinct
looming building – a tall building that appears massive and often oppressive against the skyline
🔄 Synonyms
towering (adj.) – Extremely tall and seemingly overhanging
overhanging (adj.) – Projecting above and seeming to threaten
menacing (adj.) – Appearing as if threatening harm
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