Words / C1

BLEEK/bliːk/

Bleak means offering little hope, or a landscape that is cold, empty, and exposed: a bleak forecast, a bleak hillside. Hopeless is stronger and more final; grim is a close mood cousin. Writers like a bleak outlook, bleak midwinter. In speech, not looking good or grim is more natural. Do not use bleak for a mildly dull afternoon.

Meaning

Unlikely to have a good result; cold, empty, and without hope.

Examples

• “The forecast for jobs looks bleak.”
• “Without funding, the outlook for the choir is bleak.”
• “They walked a bleak stretch of coast with no shelter.”

Good to know

bleak forecast / landscape. Little hope, or cold and empty. Everyday: grim / not looking good. Stronger: hopeless.

Near in meaning

grim

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