sob

¹ American  

[sob] / sɒb /

verb (used without object)

sobbed, sobbing

1. to weep with a convulsive catching of the breath.

2. to make a sound resembling this.

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verb (used with object)

sobbed, sobbing

1. to utter with sobs.

2. to put, send, etc., by sobbing or with sobs.

   to sob oneself to sleep.

noun

1. the act of sobbing; a convulsive catching of the breath in weeping.

2. any sound suggesting this.

S.O.B. ² American  

Or SOB

abbreviation

(sometimes lowercase)

1. son of a bitch.

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sob ¹ British  

/ sɒb /

verb

1. (intr) to weep with convulsive gasps

2. (tr) to utter with sobs

3. to cause (oneself) to be in a specified state by sobbing

   to sob oneself to sleep

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noun

1. a convulsive gasp made in weeping

s.o.b. ² British  

abbreviation

1. son of a bitch

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Other Word Forms

• sobber noun
• sobbing noun
• sobbingly adverb
• sobful adjective

Etymology

Origin of sob

1150–1200; Middle English sobben, apparently imitative

Example Sentences

“Every time the elevator opened … there were people standing there, leaning against the wall, sobbing. And I mean openly sobbing.”

From Los Angeles Times

The father-of-three, of Croxteth, Liverpool, sat with his head down and sobbed as he changed his pleas on the second day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

From BBC

When the moment came for Zammi to be taken from her arms, Keira says she sobbed uncontrollably, whispering "sorry" to her baby.

From BBC

She also breathed with me as I sobbed over his most soul-annihilating betrayal.

From Los Angeles Times

The centerpiece is a moment in which he performs a Method reading of a dinner menu that dissolves into sobbing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bawl
• break down
• howl
• wail
• weep
• whimper