sobriety

[suh-brahy-i-tee, soh-]

noun

1. the state or quality of being sober rather than intoxicated.

2. temperance or moderation, especially in the use of alcoholic beverages.

3. the condition of a person addicted to alcohol, or to some other mood-altering substance, who successfully abstains from its use and from other associated habits while addressing the root causes of dependency and adopting a new outlook on life.

   She’s turned herself around after entering a treatment center with staff who never gave up on her until she achieved sobriety.

   Even once you have attained sobriety, recovery is a lifelong process.

4. seriousness, gravity, or solemnity.

   Our farewell gathering for the six laid-off employees was an event marked by sobriety.

sobriety

/ səʊˈbraɪətɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being sober

2. the quality of refraining from excess

3. the quality of being serious or sedate

Other Word Forms

• nonsobriety noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sobriety¹

1375–1425; late Middle English sobrietie (< Old French sobriete ) < Latin sōbrietās, equivalent to sōbri ( us ) sober + -etās, variant of -itās -ity after vowel stems

Example Sentences

Today, Lulu is approaching the 12th anniversary of her sobriety.

Read more on BBC

"The instability and the political crisis we are going through demand sobriety and humility," Lecornu said.

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After the 2008 Pro Bowl player refused a field sobriety test, police said, a search warrant was obtained and a blood sample was taken at a hospital.

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Others come for the yoga, or the telescope or the trash cleanup or a night of sobriety.

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Price recently marked two years of sobriety, and the woman who used to take a tequila shot with her band before going onstage every night is instead gathering her musicians for a moment of silence.

Read more on Salon