sobriety

American  

[suh-brahy-i-tee, soh-] / səˈbraɪ ɪ ti, soʊ- /

noun

1. the state or quality of being sober rather than intoxicated.

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

3. 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.

4. seriousness, gravity, or solemnity.

   Our farewell gathering for the six laid-off employees was an event marked by sobriety.

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sobriety British  

/ səʊˈbraɪətɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being sober

2. the quality of refraining from excess

3. the quality of being serious or sedate

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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

Example Sentences

"The color purple is associated with power, authority, luxury, royalty, spirituality, and sobriety," Medina said of Sheinbaum's choice.

From Barron's

“If you could love someone into sobriety, into recovery, into remission from their psychiatric issues, then we’d have a lot fewer clients here,” Jones said.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Leiter says he finds “much more sobriety” on Israel “when you get out of the border lands” and arrive in Middle America.

From The Wall Street Journal

But it’s no guarantee sobriety will win the day.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fourteen itemized complaints, most concerning fiscal matters, are presented with sobriety, plus a slow burn of understandable anger.

From Los Angeles Times