Cold; cheerless (5)
I believe the answer is:
bleak
I believe this is a double definition.
'cold' is the first definition.
(similar in meaning)
'cheerless' is the second definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
(Other definitions for bleak that I've seen before include "offering little comfort" , "Offering little hope" , "Desolately barren" , "Austere" , "Desolate and barren" .)