sobriety
Americannoun
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the state or quality of being sober rather than intoxicated.
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temperance or moderation, especially in the use of alcoholic beverages.
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the condition of a person addicted to alcohol, or to some other mood-altering substance, who successfully abstains from its use and from other associated habits while addressing the root causes of dependency and adopting a new outlook on life.
She’s turned herself around after entering a treatment center with staff who never gave up on her until she achieved sobriety.
Even once you have attained sobriety, recovery is a lifelong process.
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seriousness, gravity, or solemnity.
Our farewell gathering for the six laid-off employees was an event marked by sobriety.
noun
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the state or quality of being sober
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the quality of refraining from excess
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the quality of being serious or sedate
Other Word Forms
- nonsobriety noun
Etymology
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
Explanation
Sobriety is the state of being sober, which can mean either not intoxicated or being solemn. If he takes a drink, an alcoholic ends a stretch of sobriety. You might note sobriety in the stands when your team is losing. When thinking about sobriety, think about the Puritans, and the way they kept the Sabbath. For them, even laughing on a Sunday was seen as an excessive display. Known for sobriety, they preferred a day marked by prayer and contemplation. It goes without saying that they frowned upon the consumption of any form of alcohol––favoring sobriety of both kinds.
Vocabulary lists containing sobriety
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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100 SAT words Beginning with "S"
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Theodore Roosevelt on "The Man with the Muck Rake" (1906)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Judgment and sobriety are at the heart of effective military decisionmaking.
From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026
He thanked religion for his sobriety and took to proclaiming his faith on stage.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2026
"There's already quite a strong trend towards sobriety," says Mintel's Jonny Forsyth.
From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026
"The color purple is associated with power, authority, luxury, royalty, spirituality, and sobriety," Medina said of Sheinbaum's choice.
From Barron's • Jan. 2, 2026
Jo had sudden fits of sobriety, and was seen to shake her fist at Mr. Brooke’s umbrella, which had been left in the hall.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
