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sober definition

so·ber (sō′bər)

adjective

  1. temperate or sparing in the use of alcoholic liquor
  2. not drunk
  3. temperate in any way; not extreme or extravagant
  4. serious, solemn, grave, or sedate
  5. not bright, garish, or flashy; quiet; plain: said of color, clothes, etc.
  6. not exaggerated or distorted the sober truth
  7. characterized by reason, sanity, or self-control; showing mental and emotional balance

Etymology: ME sobre < OFr < L sobrius < so(d)-, var. of se(d)-, without + ebrius, drunk

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to make or become sober: often with up or down

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

sober Synonyms

sober

modif.

  1. Solemn

    restrained, earnest, grave; see solemn 1, serious 2.

  2. Temperate

    abstemious, calm, pacific; see moderate 4.

  3. Not drunk

    abstinent, serious, sedate, clear-headed, abstaining, self-possessed, calm, ascetic, non-indulgent, steady, dry, on the wagon*; see also moderate 5. See syn. study at serious.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

sober Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • perfectly: Walter Cook, the farm bailiff said deceased was perfectly sober.

Preposition: for

  • month: An alcoholic, he's only been sober for two months.

Preposition: as

  • judge: I'm as sober as a judge but late it was.

Modifies a noun

  • reflection: Article continues At least my bedside vigil gave me time for sober reflection.

Used with adjective complement

  • stay: Finally, in order to stay sober he has to witness.
sober usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

sober quotes

'You're not upset, are you,Orr?' Brooke says, pouring wine into my glass. 'Merely sober. The symptoms are similar.'

-Banks, Iain Menzies

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

-Bible (NewTestament)

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

-Bible (NewTestament)

sober quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"sober." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/sober>

APA Style

sober. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/sober

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