sober
/'soubə/
Definition
Adjective:
- Not affected by alcohol or drugs; not intoxicated: Describes a person who is not under the influence of substances that impair judgment or physical control.
- Serious, sensible, and solemn: Describes a person, manner, or atmosphere that is grave, dignified, and restrained, lacking in frivolity or excessive emotion.
- Subdued or plain in color or style: Describes something, especially clothing or decoration, that is not bright, flashy, or ornate.
Verb:
- To become sober after drinking alcohol: To recover from a state of intoxication.
- To become serious or realistic: To stop being frivolous, excited, or unrealistic and adopt a more serious, practical attitude.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- He promised to drive only when he was completely sober.
- The funeral was a sober occasion, with everyone dressed in dark colors.
- She prefers a sober grey suit for important business meetings.
Verb:
- He needed an hour to sober up before he could go home.
- The team sobered quickly when they saw the project's budget constraints.
Advanced Usage
"Sober as a judge" (idiomatic phrase): Completely sober and serious; often used to emphasize someone's solemnity or lack of intoxication.
- Despite the party, he remained sober as a judge and took notes all evening.
"Sobering thought": A thought or fact that causes one to become serious or thoughtful, often by highlighting a harsh reality.
- It was a sobering thought that millions of people lacked access to clean water.
Variants and Related Words
- Soberly (adverb): In a sober manner.
- He nodded soberly upon hearing the news.
- Sobriety (noun): The state of being sober, especially not being drunk; also refers to seriousness.
- His sobriety was a requirement for him to regain custody of his children.
- Sober-minded (adjective): Serious and sensible in thinking.
- We need sober-minded leaders in a crisis.
Synonyms
- Adjective (not intoxicated): Clear-headed, abstinent.
- Adjective (serious): Grave, solemn, sedate, staid, somber.
- Adjective (plain): Subdued, muted, restrained, drab.
- Verb (become sober): Dry out, clear one's head.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Sober up:
- To become sober after drinking alcohol.
- He drank coffee to help sober up.
- To become serious or realistic.
- The economic report made investors sober up about the risks.
Related Idioms
- Stone-cold sober: Completely and unquestionably not drunk.
- I was stone-cold sober when I made that decision.
- Sober second thought: A reconsideration of something after the initial excitement or impulse has passed, leading to a more careful decision.
- On sober second thought, I decided not to buy the expensive car.
Adjective
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completely lacking in playfulness
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lacking brightness or color; dull
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drab faded curtains
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sober Puritan grey
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children in somber brown clothes
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dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
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a grave God-fearing man
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a quiet sedate nature
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as sober as a judge
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a solemn promise
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the judge was solemn as he pronounced sentence
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not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
Verb
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become sober after excessive alcohol consumption
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Keep him in bed until he sobers up
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become more realistic
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After thinking about the potential consequences of his plan, he sobered up
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cause to become sober
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A sobering thought
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