What does "loom" mean?
A utensil; tool; a weapon; (usually in compound) an article in general.
Loom
/lum/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A utensil; tool; a weapon; (usually in compound) an article in general.
- Grammar: loom is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: anticipate, appear, appear, approach.
- Useful contrasts: disappear, recede, safety.
- Usage evidence: After I tried out my new loom, I made my bed and repaired the coffee grinder.
How to use "loom"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "loom" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "loom" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "loom" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "loom" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "loom" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "anticipate" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "loom", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A utensil; tool; a weapon; (usually in compound) an article in general.
"heirloom, workloom"
- 2 loon (bird of order Gaviiformes) dated
- 3 A distorted appearance of something as seen indistinctly or from afar. intransitive
- 4 a textile machine for weaving yarn into a textile wordnet
- 5 A frame or machine of wood or other material, in which a weaver forms cloth out of thread; a machine for interweaving yarn or threads into a fabric, as in knitting or lace making.
"January 8, 1751, Samuel Johnson, "The Mischiefs of Total Idleness" in The Rambler Hector, when he sees Andromache overwhelmed with terror, sends her for consolation to the loom and the distaff."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 The part of an oar which is between the grip or handle and the blade; the shaft.
Verb
- 1 To appear indistinctly, e.g. when seen on the horizon or through the murk. intransitive
"The clouds loomed over the mountains."
- 2 weave on a loom wordnet
- 3 To appear in an exaggerated or threatening form; (of a person or thing) to tower; (of an idea) to impressively or intimidatingly occupy the mind; (of an event) to be imminent. figuratively, intransitive
"With no extra-time to be played and penalties looming, the Portuguese winger pounced on some hesitant City defending to run on to a Wayne Rooney clearance, round Joe Hart and slot home."
- 4 appear very large or occupy a commanding position wordnet
- 5 To rise and to be eminent; to be elevated or ennobled, in a moral sense. figuratively, intransitive
"On no occasion does he [Paul] loom so high, and shine so gloriously, as in the context."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 come into view indistinctly, often threateningly wordnet
- 7 hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing wordnet
Example
"After I tried out my new loom, I made my bed and repaired the coffee grinder."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "loom"?
Common synonyms include: anticipate, appear, appear, approach, approached, approaches.
How do you use "loom" in a sentence?
After I tried out my new loom, I made my bed and repaired the coffee grinder.
How do you pronounce "loom"?
Pronounced /lum/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English lome, from Old English *lōma, ġelōma (“tool, utensil, implement, article of furniture, household effect”) (also as andlōma, andġelōma, andlama (“utensil, instrument, implement, tool, vessel”), from Proto-West Germanic *lōmō, *lamō (“tool, utensil”), of uncertain origin. Cognate with Dutch alaam, allaam (“tool, household ware or good, appliance”), from Middle Dutch andlame. Perhaps originally meaning "a thing of frequent use, thing repeatedly needed", in which case, akin to Old English ġelōme (“often, frequently, continually, repeatedly”), from Proto-Germanic *ga- + *lōmiz, *lōmijaz (“lame, halt”), from Proto-Indo-European *lem- (“to break, soften”). Compare Old High German giluomo, kilōmo (“often, frequently”), Old High German luomen (“to wear out, fatigue”), Old High German *luomī (as in gastluomī (“hospitality”), Old English lama (“lame”). See lame. Outside Proto-Germanic cognate with Russian ломи́ть (lomítʹ, “to break”), лома́ть (lomátʹ, “to break, to fracture”), ле́мех (lémex, “ploughshare”). Compare typologically Serbo-Croatian ра́збо̄ј (“loom (weaving frame)”) akin to ра̀збити (“to break, to smash, to crack”).
Etymology 2
Shetland dialect, denoting a diver or guillemot, from Old Norse lómr, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *leh₂- (“to howl”) (expressive root).
Etymology 3
Origin uncertain. Perhaps from Old Norse ljóma (“to shine, radiate”). Alternatively, perhaps related to Saterland Frisian loomje (“to limp, hobble”), German Low German lahmen (“to limp, hobble”), Swedish loma (“to go slowly”), Middle Dutch loemen (“to wreck, spoil”), Middle High German lüemen (“to become weak, limp, tire”); see English lame.