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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sob

1150–1200; Middle English sobben, apparently imitative

OTHER WORDS FROM sob

sobber, nounsob·bing·ly, adverbsobful, adjective

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

And I was like, “Thank you so much,” and then immediately went to my office a full-sobbed.
How Aidy Bryant Stealthily Became Your Favorite ‘Saturday Night Live’ Star|Kevin Fallon|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I cupped my searing left cheek in my hand as I sobbed, muffling my mouth with the other so not to wake my daughter.
I Was Pregnant When He Hit Me. Here's #WhyIStayed.|Anonymous|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Women fainted, men sobbed, while children in shock picked their way through the crowds of hysterical adults.
The Hanging Judge of Minya, Egypt, Sentences Hundreds to Death|Bel Trew|April 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We sobbed in unison when Meryl Streep could barely talk about her husband without becoming visibly verklempt and touched.
The Most ‘WTF’ Oscar Moments Ever: Rob Lowe’s Duet with Snow White, Sacheen Littlefeather, and the Streaker|Kevin Fallon, Marlow Stern|February 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She laid her head between her arms, and sobbed as if her heart would break.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then waves of grief broke over her, and she sobbed convulsively; but still she shed no tears.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
Mr. Pickwick paused again: Emily and Arabella sobbed audibly.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
She sobbed; he lifted her chin with his free hand—and what less could mortal apostle do?
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Yes, yes, they both sobbed through the tears, now falling fast; go to Daddont think of us.
Those Dale Girls|Frank Weston Carruth
Neither of them uttered a word, but clasping each others hands they sobbed and cried together, and O, my God!
Portrait and Biography of Parson Brownlow, The Tennessee Patriot|William Gannaway Brownlow

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