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1

sober

play
adjective so·ber \ˈsō-bər\

Definition of sober

soberer

play \ˈsō-bər-ər\;

soberest

play \ˈsō-b(ə-)rəst\

  1. 1a :  sparing in the use of food and drink :  abstemiousb :  not addicted to intoxicating drinkc :  not drunk

  2. 2 :  marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor

  3. 3 :  unhurried, calm

  4. 4 :  marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness a sober candlelight vigil

  5. 5 :  subdued in tone or color

  6. 6 :  showing no excessive or extreme qualities of fancy, emotion, or prejudice

soberly

play \ˈsō-bər-lē\ adverb

soberness

noun

See sober defined for English-language learners

See sober defined for kids

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Examples of sober in a Sentence

  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 and Etymology of sober

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


First Known Use: 14th century

sober Synonyms

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

Synonym Discussion of sober

serious, grave, solemn, sedate, staid, sober, earnest mean not light or frivolous. serious implies a concern for what really matters. a serious play about social injustice grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude. read the proclamation in a grave voice solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity. a sad and solemn occasion sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness. remained sedate amid the commotion staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint. a quiet and staid community sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity. a sober look at the state of our schools earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose. an earnest reformer

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

controlled, flake, herb, key, sodden

2

sober

verb so·ber

Definition of sober

sobered

;

sobering

play \ˈsō-b(ə-)riŋ\
  1. transitive verb

  2. :  to make sober

  3. intransitive verb

  4. :  to become sober —usually used with up

See sober defined for English-language learners

Examples of sober in a Sentence

  1. He returned home from the war, saddened and sobered by his experiences.

14th Century

First Known Use of sober

14th century

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

controlled, flake, herb, key, sodden

Phrases Related to SOBER

Related Phrases

SOBER Defined for English Language Learners

sober

play
adjective

Definition of sober for English Language Learners

  • : not drunk

  • : having or showing a very serious attitude or quality

  • : plain in color

sober

verb

Definition of sober for English Language Learners

  • : to make (someone) serious or thoughtful

SOBER Defined for Kids

1

sober

play
adjective so·ber \ˈsō-bər\

Definition of sober for Students

soberer

;

soberest

  1. 1 :  not drinking too much :  temperate

  2. 2 :  not drunk

  3. 3 :  having or showing a serious attitude :  solemn a sober child a sober voice

  4. 4 :  having a plain color sober clothes

  5. 5 :  carefully reasoned or considered :  realistic a sober reminder

2

sober

play
verb so·ber

Definition of sober for Students

sobered

;

sobering

  1. 1 :  to make or become less drunk

  2. 2 :  to make or become serious or thoughtful The news sobered us.

Learn More about sober

  1. See words that rhyme with sober Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sober Spanish Central: Translation of sober Nglish: Translation of sober for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sober for Arabic speakers

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