sober

[soh-ber]

adjective

soberer, soberest 

1. not intoxicated or drunk.

2. habitually temperate, especially in the use of liquor.

   Synonyms: abstemious, abstinent

3. quiet or sedate in demeanor, as persons.

4. marked by seriousness, gravity, solemnity, etc., as of demeanor, speech, etc..

   a sober occasion.

   Synonyms: staid, subdued, sedate, quiet, serious
   Antonyms: gay

5. subdued in tone, as color; not colorful or showy, as clothes.

   Synonyms: dull, somber

6. free from excess, extravagance, or exaggeration.

   sober facts.

7. showing self-control.

   sober restraint.

   Synonyms: collected, composed

8. sane or rational.

   a sober solution to the problem.

   Synonyms: sound, reasonable

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become sober: (often followed byup ).

sober

/ ˈsəʊbə /

adjective

1. not drunk

2. not given to excessive indulgence in drink or any other activity

3. sedate and rational

   a sober attitude to a problem

4. (of colours) plain and dull or subdued

5. free from exaggeration or speculation

   he told us the sober truth

verb

1. (usually foll by up) to make or become less intoxicated, reckless, etc

Other Word Forms

• soberly adverb
• soberness noun
• nonsober adjective
• nonsoberly adverb
• nonsoberness noun
• quasi-sober adjective
• quasi-soberly adverb
• unsober adjective
• unsoberly adverb
• unsoberness noun
• unsobered adjective
• sobering adjective
• soberingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sober¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sobre, from Old French, from Latin sōbrius

Word History and Origins

Origin of sober¹

C14 sobre, from Old French, from Latin sōbrius

Synonym Study

See grave ².

Example Sentences

Millspaugh said the transfers were often from sober living homes back to the detox intake center in South Los Angeles.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Although this year’s event was more sober than in the past, according to Kaczanowski, 31, police officers interrupted their field day after noticing some competitors were visibly drinking.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

She gave me sobering news of her own: Rudy had gone into the backyard to die.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The attack was a sobering reminder to Arab countries of the risk of regional escalation, focusing their minds on peace.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

He told me “Black Rain” was the first album he made sober, and it terrified him.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dark 
• disciplined 
• dispassionate 
• down-to-earth 
• earnest 
• levelheaded 
• low-key 
• lucid 
• no-nonsense 
• practical 
• quiet 
• rational 
• realistic 
• reasonable 
• restrained 
• sedate 
• serene 
• serious 
• solemn 
• somber