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

Fourteen itemized complaints, most concerning fiscal matters, are presented with sobriety, plus a slow burn of understandable anger.

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He was a loser who needed sobriety badly, and I enabled his addiction behaviors; it was exhausting and infuriating for them to deal with it all.

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“American Horror Stories” actor Jackson has been open about her sobriety for years, often speaking about her mental health struggles as well.

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Lavis struggled with alcoholism during his time touring with Squeeze, but later found sobriety and went on to support others through Alcoholics Anonymous.

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“I hope it’s dawning on people, the sobriety of this moment,” he said.

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