sobriety

[suh-brahy-i-tee, soh-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR sobriety ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the state or quality of being sober.

temperance or moderation, especially in the use of alcoholic beverages.

seriousness, gravity, or solemnity: an event marked by sobriety.

Nearby words

Origin of sobriety

1375–1425; late Middle English sobrietie (< Old French sobriete) < Latin sōbrietās, equivalent to sōbri(us) sober + -etās, variant of -itās -ity after vowel stems

Related formsnon·so·bri·e·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sobriety

When he slurred and smelled of alcohol, they ordered him out of the car for sobriety tests.
The U.S. Veteran and Wisconsin Boy Who Went to Fight ISIS in Syria|Jacob Siegel|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sobriety brought a new, kinder, and gentler Womack, who often expressed remorse and regret over his past offenses.
Bobby Womack’s Sexual Democracy: The Late Soul Legend Preached Mutual Pleasure|David Masciotra|June 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Twitter, like the national debt or Lindsay Lohans's sobriety, is in a constant state of flux.
A Song of Twitter and George R.R. Martin: The Unexpected Players of the Twitterverse|Amy Zimmerman|June 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In a speech to the crowd, the smiling 19-year-old called her journey to sobriety “a miracle.”
Coming Out of the Addiction Closet|Abby Haglage|May 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

When we step outside for a smoke, the cool air brings a snap of sobriety.
War Nostalgia Is Leading Veterans to Places Like Syria. One Went Missing There.|Elliot Ackerman|May 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His deportment was invariably grave; it was sobriety that stopped short of sadness.
Washington and the American Republic, Vol. 3.|Benson J. Lossing
But the sobriety and simplicity of Mr. Worthy's family were irksome to her.
The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain and Other Tales|Hannah More
Would he cherish intemperance, that sobriety might shine the brighter?
An Appeal in Favor of that Class of Americans Called Africans|Lydia Maria Child
Their habits of sobriety and industry were essentially favorable to their advancement in wealth.
Great Events in the History of North and South America|Charles A. Goodrich
It is to be noted that what Harte speaks of is not the beauty of the fog, but its sobriety and dignity.
The Sea Fogs|Robert Louis Stevenson

British Dictionary definitions for sobriety

sobriety

noun

the state or quality of being sober

the quality of refraining from excess

the quality of being serious or sedate

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

Word Origin and History for sobriety

sobriety

c.1400, "moderation in indulgence," from Old French sobriete "sobriety, moderation" (Modern French sobrieté) or directly from Latin sobrietatem (nominative sobrietas), from sobrius (see sober (adj.)). Meaning "steadiness, gravity" is recorded from 1540s.

sobriety

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of sobriety

Examples from the Web for sobriety

sobriety

noun

sobriety