Definition

1. Noun:
   • The state of not being intoxicated by alcohol or drugs: The condition of being free from the influence of intoxicating substances.
   • The quality of being serious, solemn, or restrained in manner: A state or character marked by gravity, seriousness, or a lack of frivolity.
   • Habitual moderation, especially in the consumption of alcohol: The practice of abstaining from or using alcohol in a moderate, controlled way.

Usage Examples

• Referring to the state of not being intoxicated:
  • The police officer tested the driver for sobriety.
  • After the party, he needed an hour to regain his sobriety before driving home.
• Referring to a serious manner:
  • The sobriety of the courtroom was palpable during the trial.
  • She addressed the audience with great sobriety.
• Referring to moderation or abstinence:
  • His lifelong sobriety was an inspiration to others in recovery.
  • The program promotes sobriety and healthy living.

Advanced Usage

• "Sobriety checkpoint": A location where law enforcement officers stop vehicles to assess drivers for signs of alcohol impairment.
  • They set up a sobriety checkpoint on the main highway.
• "Sobriety date": The specific calendar date on which a person began a continuous period of abstinence from alcohol or drugs.
  • He celebrated ten years of continuous sobriety last month.

Variants and Related Words

• Sober (adjective): Not affected by alcohol; serious and rational in character.
  • He gave a sober assessment of the situation.
• Soberly (adverb): In a serious, sensible, or solemn manner.
  • She nodded soberly in agreement.

Synonyms

• Soberness: The state of being sober.
• Temperance: Moderation or abstinence, especially concerning alcohol.
• Solemnity: The state or quality of being serious and dignified.
• Abstinence: The act of refraining from something, such as alcohol.

Antonyms

• Intoxication: The state of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Inebriation: Drunkenness.
• Frivolity: Lack of seriousness; lightheartedness.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "The sobriety of the occasion": Used to describe the serious and formal nature of an event.
  • The memorial service demanded the sobriety of the occasion.
• "To take a vow of sobriety": To make a formal promise to abstain from alcohol.
  • After the incident, he decided to take a vow of sobriety.

Noun

1. abstaining from excess
2. a manner that is serious and solemn
3. moderation in or abstinence from alcohol or other drugs
4. the state of being sober and not intoxicated by alcohol