Bleak (adjective): (of an area of land) lacking vegetation and exposed to the elements; (of a situation) not hopeful or encouraging; unlikely to have a favorable outcome. bleak meaning, definition, what is bleak: without anything to make you feel happy ...: Learn more. BLEAK definition: 1. If a situation is bleak, there is little or no hope for the future: 2. If a place is bleak, it…. Learn more. Something that is bleak is gloomy and depressing. If it's raining and dark, you might describe the night as bleak. If you have looked for work and no one will hire you, you could describe your prospects as bleak.