loom
1 of 3noun (1)
ˈlüm 
: a frame or machine for interlacing (see interlace sense 1) at right angles two or more sets of threads or yarns to form a cloth
loom
2 of 3verb
loomed; looming; looms
intransitive verb
1
: to come into sight in enlarged or distorted and indistinct form often as a result of atmospheric conditions
Storm clouds loomed on the horizon.
2
a
: to appear in an impressively great or exaggerated form
deficits loomed large
b
: to take shape as an impending occurrence
the problems that loomed ahead
loom
3 of 3noun (2)
: the indistinct and exaggerated appearance of something seen on the horizon or through fog or darkness
also : a looming shadow or reflection
Synonyms
Verb
- brew
- impend
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb Storm clouds loomed on the horizon. The mountains loom above the valley.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English lome tool, loom, from Old English gelōma tool; akin to Middle Dutch allame tool
Verb and Noun (2)
origin unknown
First Known Use
Noun (1)
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1836, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing loom
Kids Definition
loom 1 of 2
noun
ˈlüm
: a frame or machine for weaving cloth
loom
2 of 2verb
loomed; looming
1
: to come into sight suddenly and often with a large, strange, or frightening appearance
A steep hill loomed ahead.
Lois Lowry, The Giver
Lois Lowry, The Giver2
: to be about to happen
A battle is looming.
looming 1 of 2
adjective
as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence some economists see a looming collapse of the stock market Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- impending
- approaching
- imminent
- coming
- brewing
- possible
- pending
- threatening
- future
- around the corner
- nearing
- oncoming
- inevitable
- upcoming
- probable
- ominous
- unavoidable
- gathering
- forthcoming
- predicted
- near
- menacing
- apocalyptic
- anticipated
- awaited
- likely
- portentous
- lowering
- foreseen
- expected
- apocalyptical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- distant
- past
- eventual
- ultimate
- far-off
- remote
- recent
- former
- late
- bygone
looming
2 of 2verb
as in brewing
to be about to happen he tried to take a proactive approach to dealing with the problems that loomed ahead Synonyms & Similar Words
- brewing
- impending
- approaching
- hovering
- nearing
- threatening
- hanging
- menacing
- overhanging
- gathering
- advancing
- drawing on
- closing in
- louring
- lowering
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- diminishing
- receding
- dwindling
- falling
- disappearing
- vanishing
- shrinking
- waning
- declining
- fading
- tapering
- lowering
- ebbing
- subsiding
- lessening
- abating
- relenting
- passing
- receding
- tapering off
- moderating
- remitting
- retreating
- letting up
- withdrawing
- dying down
- falling back
- de-escalating