sob

[ sob ]

/ sɒb /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR sob ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), sobbed, sob·bing.

to weep with a convulsive catching of the breath.

to make a sound resembling this.

verb (used with object), sobbed, sob·bing.

to utter with sobs.

to put, send, etc., by sobbing or with sobs: to sob oneself to sleep.

noun

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

any sound suggesting this.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?

Question 1 of 10

decorum

the act of or need for making up one's mind.

dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sob

1150–1200; Middle English sobben, apparently imitative

OTHER WORDS FROM sob

sob·ber, nounsob·bing·ly, adverbsob·ful, adjective

Words nearby sob

soares, soaring, soave, soave operation, soay, sob, sob sister, sob story, sob stuff, soba, sobeit

Definition for sob (2 of 2)

S.O.B.

or SOB

(sometimes lowercase) Slang.

son of a bitch.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for sob

Until 1972 it was called simply The Senate Office Building – SOB for short.
My Coffee Klatch With Rand Paul|P. J. O’Rourke|September 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I remember Cat Deeley literally took your head into her arms and let you sob on her shoulder.
'So You Think You Can Dance' Winner Ricky Ubeda Is Adorable, and Tired|Kevin Fallon|September 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She waited for the inexplicable sentiment to fade away, but instead it intensified and she began to sob.
Knocking on Heaven's Door: True Stories of Unexplained, Uncanny Experiences at the Hour of Death|Patricia Pearson|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Finally, Cleese goose-steps out of the dining room as the hapless Germans cringe and sob.
Life Under Air Strikes: Children Under Fire Will Never Forget — or Forgive|Clive Irving|August 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Then Zvereva began to sob uncontrollably, remembering the wounds, the torn limbs and missing parts of bodies.
In the Killing Fields of Ukraine with Children Who Saw the MH17 Horror|Anna Nemtsova|July 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The young woman received this philosophic remark with a sob as she closed the door behind her.
The Mystery of the Downs|John R. Watson
Vandecar extended his arms, and, with a sob that shook his soul, drew his boy to him.
From the Valley of the Missing|Grace Miller White
He buries his own in it again as he speaks, beginning afresh to sob loudly.
Alas!|Rhoda Broughton
"He is going to live, the doctors say, but they're afraid—" Her voice faltered and she began to sob.
The Little Colonel's Chum: Mary Ware|Annie Fellows Johnston
The note of scorn ended in a sob while she buried her face in her hands, and stood trembling with shame and anger before him.
The Builders|Ellen Glasgow

British Dictionary definitions for sob (1 of 2)

sob

/ (sɒb) /

verb sobs, sobbing or sobbed

(intr) to weep with convulsive gasps

(tr) to utter with sobs

to cause (oneself) to be in a specified state by sobbingto sob oneself to sleep

noun

a convulsive gasp made in weeping

Derived forms of sob

sobber, nounsobbing, noun, adjective

Word Origin for sob

C12: probably from Low German; compare Dutch sabben to suck

British Dictionary definitions for sob (2 of 2)

s.o.b.

/ slang, mainly US and Canadian /

abbreviation for

son of a bitch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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sob

verb (used without object), sobbed, sob·bing.

verb (used with object), sobbed, sob·bing.

noun

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

Origin of sob

OTHER WORDS FROM sob

Words nearby sob