sob

[ sob ]

/ sɒb /

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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.

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Origin of sob

1150–1200; Middle English sobben, apparently imitative

OTHER WORDS FROM sob

sobber, nounsob·bing·ly, adverbsobful, adjective

Words nearby sob

Soares, soaring, so as to, soave, Soay, sob, soba, sobeit, sober, sober as a judge, sober-headed

Other definitions for sob (2 of 2)

S.O.B.

or SOB

abbreviation (sometimes lowercase)Slang.

son of a bitch.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sob in a sentence

I am sitting on the Turkish-Syrian border, adjacent to the city of Kobani, watching hundreds of children sob.
Remembering Kobani Before The Siege|Mustafa Abdi, Movements.Org, Advancing Human Rights|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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
A sob rose in her throat, and broke from her lips transformed into a trembling, sharp, glad cry.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
No sob, no sigh, forced its way from her heart, throbbing as though it would burst.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
And no sooner had she guessed it than, with a choking sob, she told herself that what madame could do that could she also.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
He was choking down a sob when he caught sight of some women with packs upon their backs.
The Later Cave-Men|Katharine Elizabeth Dopp
“No,” she said decidedly; and her little lips were tightly compressed, so that they should not give vent to a sob.
The Bag of Diamonds|George Manville Fenn

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