sober
13 synonyms and 2 antonyms for sober, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not drunk or affected by alcohol or drugs.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use sober
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French sobre, from Latin sobrius, built from se- ("without") + ebrius ("drunk") — literally "without drunkenness."
Full origin of sober →Frequently asked questions
What does “sober” mean?
The word “sober” means not drunk or affected by alcohol or drugs. In plain terms, not drunk, and by extension, calm and sensible rather than reckless or emotional.
How do you pronounce “sober”?
“Sober” is pronounced SOH-buh (/ˈsoʊ.bɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sober” in a sentence?
Here is “sober” used in a sentence: “He stayed sober all night so he could drive everyone home.”
What is another word for “sober”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sober” include clearheaded, dry, on the wagon, sober as a judge, undrunken and stone-cold sober.
What is the opposite of “sober”?
The opposite of “sober” — its antonyms — are drunk and stoned.
What part of speech is “sober”?
Depending on how it is used, “sober” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “sober” come from?
The word “sober” comes from Latin. From Old French sobre, from Latin sobrius, built from se- ("without") + ebrius ("drunk") — literally "without drunkenness.".
Is “sober” a common word?
“Sober” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between sober and somber (sombre)?
Sober most often means not drunk, or serious and level-headed. Somber (spelled sombre in British English) means gloomy, dark, or melancholy, so although both can describe a serious mood, only somber carries a sense of sadness or dimness.
What is the difference between sober and abstinent?
Being sober means not currently being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Being abstinent means choosing not to drink or use them at all, so a person can be sober right now without being abstinent in general.
What are sober colours?
Sober colours are plain, muted, and restrained shades such as grey, navy, black, or brown, rather than bright or flashy ones. This use of sober describes a subdued style rather than anything to do with alcohol.