Meaning & Definition
verb
To think deeply about something that makes one unhappy.
She was brooding over her mistakes from the past.
To sit on (eggs) to hatch them.
The hen spent most of the day brooding over her eggs in the nest.
adjective
Showing deep unhappiness of thought; darkly contemplative.
He sat in a brooding silence, lost in his thoughts.
Having a serious, moody, or ominous presence.
The brooding clouds threatened rain all afternoon.
Etymology
From the verb 'brood', meaning to think deeply or worry, from Old English 'brūdan'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
brooding over:
To think about something in a troubled way.
brooding silence:
A quiet yet intense atmosphere filled with sadness or contemplation.
brooding figure:
A person whose demeanor conveys deep thought or gloom.
Slang Meanings
To sulk or be uncommunicative in a deep way.
He's just brooding in his room again.
To be dramatically sad or thoughtful, often for effect.
She loves to brood over her ex in a very theatrical way.