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