1 C1 idiomatic formal
(Literary) To hang heavily or loom over a place in a dark or threatening way.
"Storm clouds brooded above the ancient ruins, casting everything in shadow."
inseparable
brood above
C1 formal inseparable intransitive
(Literary/poetic) To hang over a place with a dark, heavy, or oppressive presence.
In plain English
To hang over a place in a dark and scary way, like storm clouds.
What does "brood above" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
A bird brooding (sitting on eggs) above — extended to describe something that sits heavily overhead like a brooding bird.
Actually means
To hang over a place in a dark and scary way, like storm clouds.
Usage tip
Distinctly literary and poetic. Found in descriptive prose and poetry to create an atmosphere of gloom or threat. Not used in ordinary conversation. The subject is almost always a non-human element: clouds, mountains, darkness, etc.
Words that pair with "brood above"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
clouds mountains darkness silence mist shadow
How to conjugate "brood above"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
brood above
I/you/we/they
3rd person
broods above
he/she/it
Past simple
brooded above
yesterday
Past participle
brooded above
have + pp
-ing form
brooding above
continuous
Hear "brood above" in the wild
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