Gloomy around new beach (4)
I believe the answer is:
sand
'beach' is the definition.
'gloomy around new' is the wordplay.
'gloomy' becomes 'sad' (similar in meaning).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'new' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation eg NT for New Testament).
'sad' placed around 'n' is 'SAND'.
(Other definitions for sand that I've seen before include "Beach grit" , "Granular substance" , "Granulated quartz" , "Dune constituent" , "Beach/desert material" .)