Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cry noisily while taking in short, sudden breaths, typically because one is upset, in pain, or overwhelmed by emotion. This describes a specific, often convulsive, manner of weeping.
2. Noun:
   • The act or sound of sobbing; a convulsive gasp or catch in the breath made while crying.

Usage

• Verb: Use "sob" to describe intense, audible crying. It is often followed by adverbs like "uncontrollably," "quietly," or "hysterically." It can be used with or without a direct object.
• Noun: Use "sob" to refer to the sound or instance itself. It is often used in the plural ("sobs") to describe a series of such cries.

Examples

• Verb:
  • She began to sob when she heard the tragic news.
  • The child sobbed himself to sleep after the nightmare.
  • He was sobbing uncontrollably in the corner.
• Noun:
  • I could hear her sobs from the next room.
  • A single, heart-wrenching sob escaped her lips.
  • His story was punctuated by quiet sobs.

Advanced Usage

• "to sob one's heart out": To cry very bitterly and for a long time.
  • After the argument, she went to her room and sobbed her heart out.
• "a sob story": A story or account, especially one intended to elicit sympathy, that is sentimental or distressingly sad.
  • He told me some sob story about losing his wallet, but I think he just wanted money.

Variants and Related Words

• Sobbing (noun/adj): The continuous act of sobbing; characterized by sobs.
  • Her sobbing gradually subsided.
  • We heard sobbing sounds from the hallway.
• Sobber (noun): A person who sobs (less common).
• Sobful (adj): Full of or characterized by sobs (archaic/poetic).

Synonyms

• Verb: Weep, bawl, blubber, cry, whimper.
• Noun: Cry, wail, whimper, blubber.

Phrasal Verbs

• Sob out: To say something while sobbing.
  • She managed to sob out an apology between breaths.

Related Idioms

• "to have a good sob": To allow oneself to cry freely as a way to release emotion.
  • Sometimes you just need to have a good sob to feel better.

Noun

1. convulsive gasp made while weeping
2. insulting terms of address for people who are stupid or irritating or ridiculous
3. a dyspneic condition

Verb

1. weep convulsively
   • He was sobbing inconsolably