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

“I’ll never forget this part of my life,” she said, and, behind sunglasses, began to sob.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

Tears were running down his face and he was quietly trying to suppress a sob.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

"It came like an earthquake.. I thought 'Well, if I am going to die, then so be it,'" he said, beginning to sob heavily.

From Barron's • Dec. 3, 2025

As a singer, McRae can expertly control the sob in her voice, as in “Tuesday,” a stark piano ballad about a betrayal made all the more painful by how little it meant to the traitor.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2025

Partway through the stanzas, he began to sob.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

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