looming

[ loo-ming ]
/ ˈlu mɪŋ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR looming ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a mirage in which objects below the horizon seem to be raised above their true positions.

Origin of looming

First recorded in 1620–30; loom2 + -ing1

Words nearby looming

lookup, looky, loom, loom large, loom-state, looming, loon, looney, loonie, loony, loony bin

Definition for looming (2 of 3)

loom 1
[ loom ]
/ lum /

noun

a hand-operated or power-driven apparatus for weaving fabrics, containing harnesses, lay, reed, shuttles, treadles, etc.
the art or the process of weaving.
the part of an oar between the blade and the handle.

verb (used with object)

to weave (something) on a loom.

Origin of loom

1
before 900; Middle English lome, Old English gelōma tool, implement. See heirloom

Definition for looming (3 of 3)

loom 2
[ loom ]
/ lum /

verb (used without object)

to appear indistinctly; come into view in indistinct and enlarged form: The mountainous island loomed on the horizon.
to rise before the vision with an appearance of great or portentous size: Suddenly a police officer loomed in front of him.
to assume form as an impending event: A battle looms at the convention.

noun

a looming appearance, as of something seen indistinctly at a distance or through a fog: the loom of a moraine directly in their path.

Origin of loom

2
First recorded in 1585–95; origin uncertain

Words related to looming

imminent, impending, approaching, emerging, appearing

Example sentences from the Web for looming

British Dictionary definitions for looming (1 of 3)

loom 1
/ (luːm) /

noun

an apparatus, worked by hand (hand loom) or mechanically (power loom), for weaving yarn into a textile
the middle portion of an oar, which acts as a fulcrum swivelling in the rowlock

Word Origin for loom

C13 (meaning any kind of tool): variant of Old English gelōma tool; compare heirloom

British Dictionary definitions for looming (2 of 3)

loom 2
/ (luːm) /

verb (intr)

to come into view indistinctly with an enlarged and often threatening aspect
(of an event) to seem ominously close
(often foll by over) (of large objects) to dominate or overhang

noun

a rising appearance, as of something far away

Word Origin for loom

C16: perhaps from East Frisian lomen to move slowly

British Dictionary definitions for looming (3 of 3)

loom 3
/ (luːm) /

noun archaic, or dialect

another name for diver (def. 3)
any of various other birds, esp the guillemot

Word Origin for loom

C17: from Old Norse lomr