sober

¹so·ber

adj \ˈsō-bər\

so·ber·er\-bər-ər\so·ber·est\-b(ə-)rəst\

Definition of SOBER

1

a : sparing in the use of food and drink : abstemious b : not addicted to intoxicating drink c : not drunk

2

: marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor

3

: unhurried, calm

4

: marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness <a sober candlelight vigil>

5

: subdued in tone or color

6

: showing no excessive or extreme qualities of fancy, emotion, or prejudice

— so·ber·ly \-bər-lē\ adverb

— so·ber·ness noun

Examples of SOBER

1. I'm driving, so I have to stay sober tonight.
2. He is a sober, hardworking farmer.
3. The story is a sober look at drug abuse.
4. Illness is a sober reminder of our mortality.
5. The article is a sober reflection on the state of our nation.

Origin of SOBER

Middle English sobre, from Anglo-French, from Latin sobrius; akin to Latin ebrius drunk

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SOBER

Synonyms: clearheaded, straight

Antonyms: blasted [slang], blind, blitzed [slang], blotto [slang], bombed, boozy, canned [slang], cockeyed, crocked, drunk, drunken, fried, gassed, hammered [slang], high, inebriate, inebriated, intoxicated, juiced [slang], lit, lit up, loaded [slang], looped, oiled [slang], pickled, pie-eyed, plastered, potted [slang], ripped [slang], sloshed [slang], smashed [slang], sottish, soused, sozzled, squiffed (or squiffy), stewed, stiff, stinking [slang], stoned, tanked [slang], tight, tipsy, wasted [slang], wiped out [slang]

Related Words: abstemious, abstinent, dry, teetotal, temperate; cool, level, steady

Near Antonyms: alcoholic, bibulous, crapulous, dipsomaniacal; maudlin, tiddly [chiefly British]; befuddled, besotted, dopey (also dopy); debauched, dissipated, dissolute

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at serious

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

controlled, flake, herb, key, sodden

Rhymes with SOBER

lobar, prober