Synonyms

somber

American

[som-ber] / ˈsɒm bər /

especially British, sombre

adjective

gloomily dark; shadowy; dimly lighted.

a somber passageway.

Synonyms:

sunless, murky, dusky

Antonyms:

bright
dark and dull, as color, or as things in respect to color.

a somber dress.
gloomy, depressing, or dismal.

a somber mood.

Synonyms:

melancholy, doleful, mournful, lugubrious

Antonyms:

cheerful
extremely serious; grave.

a somber expression on his face.

Other Word Forms

somberly adverb
somberness noun
unsomber adjective
unsomberly adverb
unsomberness noun

Etymology

Origin of somber

First recorded in 1750–60; from French, Middle French sombre, probably noun derivative of sombrer (unrecorded) “to make shady,” from Vulgar Latin subumbrāre (unrecorded), from Latin sub- sub- + umbrāre “to cast a shadow” (derivative of umbra “shade, shadow”)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In it, Rousseau acknowledged that it was a "somber day" for his organisation.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

This week began on a somber note with the fatal accident at LaGuardia Airport Sunday night.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

In some instances he reutilizes his usual lively palette, and at others shifts into more somber tones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Myers’ Musk kicked off an “in memoriam” segment soundtracked by a somber version of the “America’s Funniest Home Videos” theme.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2026

From the time I finished reading the file, I couldn't stop thinking about how tragic this case was—and my somber thoughts weren't interrupted until a small child was pushed into the visiting room.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023