adj
Common
sober
SOH-buh
Sober (adj) means not drunk or affected by alcohol or drugs. Example: “Someone sober should check the map before we set off.”
adj
1
Not drunk or affected by alcohol or drugs.
"Someone sober should check the map before we set off."
"He stayed sober all night so he could drive everyone home."
"She has been sober for three years now."
2
Serious, calm, and level-headed; not overly emotional or reckless.
"She gave a sober account of what had happened, without any drama."
"It was a sober moment as the team read the results."
"The committee took a sober look at the risks before deciding."
3
Plain or subdued in color or style.
"The room was decorated in sober browns and greys."
"She chose a sober dress for the formal meeting."
"He wore a sober grey suit to the interview."
verb
1
To become or make clear-headed again, especially after drinking.
"The cold night air soon began to sober him."
"She needed a few hours to sober up before driving."
"A strong coffee and a walk helped him sober up."
How to use sober
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot drunk, and by extension, calm and sensible rather than reckless or emotional.
Common pairings
stay sober
sober up
a sober assessment
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- sobers
- Past tense
- sobered
- Comparative
- soberer
- Superlative
- soberest
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Someone _____ should check the map before we set off.
Etymology
From Old French sobre, from Latin sobrius, built from se- ("without") + ebrius ("drunk") — literally "without drunkenness."
Synonyms
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temperate
abstemious
serious
solemn
restrained
sedate
clearheaded
dry
on the wagon
sober as a judge
undrunken
stone-cold sober
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sober
See all rhymes for 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.
