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

As the recitation trailed off, she awoke fully, and began sobbing.

From Literature

I sat down, buried my face in my arms, and made a lot of choking, sobbing sounds like I was crying.

From Literature

Opal sobbed again, “Why did he do that?”

From Literature

The 36-year-old, who denies the murder, can be heard sobbing and telling the call handler, "please come as soon as you can, she's pregnant. She's cold".

From BBC

“I had bandages, cream…a whole first-aid box for you!” she sobbed.

From Literature

Related Words

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