sobersides

American  

[soh-ber-sahydz] / ˈsoʊ bərˌsaɪdz /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

PLURAL

sobersides

1. a humorless or habitually serious person.

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sobersides British  

/ ˈsəʊbəˌsaɪdz /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) a solemn and sedate person

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Other Word Forms

• sobersided adjective

Etymology

Origin of sobersides

First recorded in 1695–1705; sober + side ¹ + -s ³

Example Sentences

The joke had gone so far that it overwhelmed all the sobersides who couldn’t see the joke.

From New York Times

"Thank heaven my audience is not made up of such sobersides. Sander, see that this lad is given instructions in laughing."

From Literature

And those who mark me down as a puritanical old sobersides may be surprised to learn that it was comedians, along with the plays of Shakespeare, that first drew me to theatre.

From The Guardian

If you once saw her and heard her sing, you’d go crazy about her, old sobersides.

From Project Gutenberg

Judging from his relaxed demeanor Tuesday, Bradley may try not to seem like such a sobersides next time around.

From New York Times