Sober

Pronunciation

• enPR: sō'bÉ™(r), IPA: /ˈsəʊ.bÉ™(ɹ)/
• Rhymes: -əʊbÉ™(r)

Origin

From Old French sobre, from Latin sōbrius ("without wine"), from se- ("without") + ebrius ("intoxicated"), of unknown origin.

Full definition of sober

Adjective

1. not drunk; not intoxicated
2. not given to excessive drinking of alcohol
• Book of Common Prayera godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Thy holy name
3. moderate; realistic; serious; not playful; not passionate; cool; self-controlled
• DrydenNo sober man would put himself into danger for the applause of escaping without breaking his neck.
• 2005, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. .Which is the finest and soberest state possible.
4. dull; not bright or colorful
• MiltonTwilight grey
  Had in her sober livery all things clad.
5. subdued; solemn; grave
• PriorWhat parts gay France from sober Spain?
• Alexander PopeSee her sober over a sampler, or gay over a jointed baby.

Synonyms

Antonyms

• (not drunk) drunk

Related terms

• sobriety
• sober as a judge

Verb

1. (often with up) To make or become sober.
• Alexander PopeThere shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
  And drinking largely sobers us again.
2. (often with up) To overcome or lose a state of intoxication.''It took him hours to sober up.

Anagrams

• Boers, bores, Brose, brose, robes