overcast

Imagine the sky wearing a gray blanket. The sun is hidden, the light feels soft, and the whole day seems a little dull. It does not always mean rain, but it often feels like rain could start soon. This word is usually used for weather when clouds cover most or all of the sky. It can also suggest a quiet, heavy mood in the air.

"Overcast" describes a sky covered with clouds, hiding the sun and creating a dim, gray light. It does not always lead to rain or snow, but it often feels as if wet weather may be close. The word gives the sense of the sky being covered over by cloud.

You might describe a landscape as looking especially dramatic under an overcast sky, because the soft light brings out texture and gentle color changes. Photographers sometimes like such days for portraits, since the diffused light reduces harsh shadows on faces. The word is mainly about weather, but it can also be used in a figurative way for mood or atmosphere. If a story says that an overcast feeling settled over a town after bad news, it suggests sadness, worry, and uncertainty.

Think of a painting with thick clouds and muted light. The feeling may be calm, gloomy, mysterious, or even uneasy. So whether it describes the weather, a mood, or the look of a scene, "overcast" suggests something dimmed, clouded, and slightly heavy.