somber

adjective

som·​ber ˈsäm-bər 

variants or sombre

1

: so shaded as to be dark and gloomy

2

a

: of a serious mien : grave

somber dignitaries

b

: of a dismal or depressing character : melancholy

c

: conveying gloomy suggestions or ideas

3

: of a dull or heavy cast or shade : dark colored

somberly adverb

somberness noun

Synonyms of somber

• darkened
• dark
• murky

Examples of somber in a Sentence

Looking out at his audience, a somber mass of monks, Gregory gave Mary a new identity that would shape her image for fourteen hundred years. —Jonathan Darman, Newsweek, 29 May 2006

This year marks a somber anniversary—it was 150 years ago that humans wiped out the last survivors of this species. A relative of the razorbills and puffins, and about the size of a small goose, the great auk was black-bodied with a white underbelly, and walked erect, like a penguin. —Bill Montevecchi, Natural History, August 1994

The purple darkness was filled with men who lectured and jabbered. Sometimes he could see them gesticulating against the blue and somber sky. —Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1895

Her death put us in a somber mood.

The movie is a somber portrait of life on the streets.

He wore a somber suit.

Recent Examples on the Web

Less than two months after her historic victory to become Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi Sanae stood before a bank of microphones and opposition lawmakers, looking somber. — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026

Later, Ethel Cain provides a warm yet somber comedown in the early evening with her brand of folk-pop. — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

The ritual is one of the most somber duties of a commander-in-chief. — ABC News, 22 July 2026

The contrast of Mariama’s experience makes Stella’s life look practically as somber and sordid as a film noir, where no one can be trusted and tragedy lurks from all sides. — Elena Lazic, Variety, 15 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French sombre

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

somber

adjective

som·​ber

variants or sombre

ˈsäm-bər 

1

: so shaded as to be dark and gloomy

2

: melancholy entry 2 sense 1, grave

a somber mood

3

: dull or dark colored

somberly adverb

somberness noun