sob
sob
Sob (verb) means to cry with short, gasping breaths. Example: “She sobbed quietly into her pillow after the phone call.”
verb
1
To cry with short, gasping breaths.
"She sobbed quietly into her pillow after the phone call."
"He sobbed uncontrollably at the funeral."
noun
1
A short, gasping cry, or the sound it makes.
"A single sob escaped her before she composed herself."
How to use sob
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo cry with broken, heaving breaths, or the sound of that kind of crying.
Common pairings
sob uncontrollably
a heaving sob
sob into someone's shoulder
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Word forms
- Plural
- sobs
- Third person singular
- sobs
- Past tense
- sobbed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A single _____ escaped her before she composed herself.
Etymology
From Middle English sobben, likely linked to old Germanic words for drooling or slobbering — the crying sense developed from the shaky, gasping breath.
Synonyms
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sobbing
breathlessness
shortness of breath
bastard
shit
motherfucker
prick
dickhead
cocksucker
asshole
whoreson
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sob” mean?
The word “sob” means to cry with short, gasping breaths. In plain terms, to cry with broken, heaving breaths, or the sound of that kind of crying.
How do you pronounce “sob”?
“Sob” is pronounced sob (/sɑb/ in IPA).
How do you use “sob” in a sentence?
Here is “sob” used in a sentence: “She sobbed quietly into her pillow after the phone call.”
What part of speech is “sob”?
Depending on how it is used, “sob” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “sob” come from?
The word “sob” comes from Middle English. From Middle English sobben, likely linked to old Germanic words for drooling or slobbering — the crying sense developed from the shaky, gasping breath.
Is “sob” a common word?
“Sob” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “sob” have?
“Sob” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cry with short, gasping breaths.
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