Gloomy and sad, I’m about to reach the half century (6)

I believe the answer is:

dismal

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'gloomy' is the definition.
('dismal' can be a synonym of 'gloomy')

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for dismal that I've seen before include "Showing gloom, dreary" , "Gloomy and depressing like winter weather" , "Miserable" , "Dreary, cheerless" , "'Gloomy, grim (6)'" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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