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 • Nov. 8, 2019

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 • Jun. 5, 2012

To Procaccino and other sobersides, that typifies the despised Fun City syndrome.

From Time Magazine Archive

Decent acting in movies of this sort is, of course, merely an extra added attraction�a sort of dish night for the sobersides.

From Time Magazine Archive

You're growing to be an awful sobersides, old fellow.

From The Short Cut by Johnson, Frank Tenney