- a variation of somber.
sombre
Britishadjective
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dismal; melancholy
a sombre mood
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dim, gloomy, or shadowy
-
(of colour, clothes, etc) sober, dull, or dark
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sombre
C18: from French, from Vulgar Latin subumbrāre (unattested) to shade, from Latin sub beneath + umbra shade
Explanation
When you're sombre — or somber — you're acting glum, depressed, or sad. Being sombre is the opposite of being perky or happy. This is a word that has to do with the mood of a person or event. A funeral is going to be sombre, and the people at the funeral are usually pretty sombre, too. It's a quiet, serious, and even gloomy kind of feeling. Objects can look sombre if they're dull and colorless. Just don't get sombre and confused by the spelling: the "re" ending is a British thing, while Americans usually end it with "er."
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.
Australia's prime minister and fellow parliamentarians led sombre tributes Monday to "beacon of decency" and colleague Helen Haines, who remains in hospital after being struck by a car outside her office a week ago.
From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026
Underneath her pragmatism and sombre suits lie some surprises.
From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026
And, in a sombre media conference at The Oval, McCullum passed up all opportunities to suggest Stokes will once again be England captain.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
King Charles III and Queen Camilla laid flowers at the September 11 Memorial in New York, in a sombre moment during their state visit to the United States.
From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026
Beauty of Neleus’ daughter put him there and sombre folly the inbreaking Fury thrust upon him.
From "The Odyssey" by Homer
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