Definition of somber
1 : so shaded as to be dark and gloomy
2a : of a serious mien : grave somber dignitariesb : of a dismal or depressing character : melancholyc : conveying gloomy suggestions or ideas
3 : of a dull or heavy cast or shade : dark colored
somberly
adverbsomberness
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
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 of somber from the Web
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The next day, at a somber news conference, a doctor said Mike Frier would likely never walk again.
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Orlando has planned an array of solemn vigils and somber speeches to commemorate the day, involving city politicians, survivors of the night, as well as countless supporters.
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Once the setting shifts to Europe, though, the film provides nothing but muted grays and somber, smoggy scenery.
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The almost-graduates, my son among them, had just filed in wearing their long black robes, looking like somber judges instead of young people about to start a new life.
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The president participated in the somber, annual observance at Arlington National Cemetery.
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Instead, the date is a somber reminder to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the nation's military.
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The jubilant 3,000 or so alums who gathered at the college to watch the results come in were somber by the end of the night, stunned by the realization that the wider world that doesn’t align with the predominant reality at Wellesley.
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The event is family-oriented but also meant to be a something of a somber and reflective experience, Jelinek said.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'somber'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of somber
French sombre
First Known Use: 1760
SOMBER Defined for English Language Learners
somber
playDefinition of somber for English Language Learners
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: very sad and serious
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: having a dull or dark color
SOMBER Defined for Kids
Learn More about somber
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See words that rhyme with somber Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for somber Spanish Central: Translation of somber Nglish: Translation of somber for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of somber for Arabic speakers
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