Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

bleak

1

[ bleek ]

adjective

bleaker, bleakest.
  1. bare, desolate, and often windswept:

    a bleak plain.

  2. cold and piercing; raw:

    a bleak wind.

  3. without hope or encouragement; depressing; dreary:

    a bleak future.



bleak

2

[ bleek ]

noun

  1. a European freshwater fish, Alburnus alburnus, having scales with a silvery pigment that is used in the production of artificial pearls.

bleak

1

/ ː /

adjective

  1. exposed and barren; desolate
  2. cold and raw
  3. offering little hope or excitement; dismal

    a bleak future

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

bleak

2

/ ː /

noun

  1. any slender silvery European cyprinid fish of the genus Alburnus , esp A. lucidus , occurring in slow-flowing rivers
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈ𲹰, adverb
  • ˈ𲹰Ա, noun
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • 𲹰i adjective
  • 𲹰l adverb
  • 𲹰n noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of bleak1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English bleke “pale,” blend of variants bleche ( Old English ǣ ) and blake ( Old English ); both cognate with Old Norse bleikr, German bleich; akin to bleach

Origin of bleak2

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English bleke, noun use of bleke ‼”; bleak 1
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of bleak1

Old English bright, pale; related to Old Norse bleikr white, Old High German bleih pale

Origin of bleak2

C15: probably from Old Norse bleikja white colour; related to Old High German bleiche bleach
Discover More

Synonym Study

See austere.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Foreign policy and national security are both bleak and dismal nightmares.

From

Until a fix is found, the possibility of homeownership still looks bleak for many.

From

For the Smith family and thousands like them, the future looks bleak.

From

With amped-up drama, comedy and action this time around, Brooker knows he’s made something “quite mainstream” for his often bleak, beloved storytelling outlet.

From

Today, the mood around angry young guys seems pretty bleak.

From

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


bleaching powderBleak House