First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1sober
adjective so·ber \ˈsō-bər\
: not drunk
: having or showing a very serious attitude or quality
: plain in color
so·ber·er \-bər-ər\ so·ber·est \-b(ə-)rəst\
Full 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
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
See sober defined for English-language learners
See sober defined for kids
Origin of SOBER
Middle English sobre, from Anglo-French, from Latin sobrius; akin to Latin ebrius drunk
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]
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
2sober
verb
: to make (someone) serious or thoughtful
so·beredso·ber·ing \-b(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of SOBER
transitive verb
: to make sober
intransitive verb
: to become sober —usually used with up
See sober defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SOBER
14th century
Other Drug/Tobacco Terms
SOBERNESS Defined for Kids
1sober
adjective so·ber \ˈsō-bər\
so·ber·erso·ber·est
Definition of SOBER for Kids
1
: not drinking too much : temperate
2
: not drunk
3
: having or showing a serious attitude : solemn <a sober child> <a sober voice>
4
: having a plain color <sober clothes>
5
: carefully reasoned or considered : realistic <a sober reminder>
2sober
verb
so·beredso·ber·ing
Definition of SOBER for Kids
1
: to make or become less drunk
2
: to make or become serious or thoughtful <The news sobered us.>
Learn More About SOBER
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