sober Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb cause to become sober
- A sobering thought
verb become more realistic
sober up.
- After thinking about the potential consequences of his plan, he sobered up
verb become sober after excessive alcohol consumption
sober up.
- Keep him in bed until he sobers up
adjective not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
adjective satellite dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
solemn; sedate; grave.
- a grave God-fearing man
- a quiet sedate nature
- as sober as a judge
- a solemn promise
- the judge was solemn as he pronounced sentence
adjective satellite lacking brightness or color; dull
somber; sombre; drab.
- drab faded curtains
- sober Puritan grey
- children in somber brown clothes
adjective completely lacking in playfulness
serious; unplayful.

OE. sobre, F. sobre, from L. sobrius, probably from a prefix so- expressing separation + ebrius drunken. Cf. Ebriety.

comparative Soberer ; superlative Soberest

Temperate in the use of spirituous liquors; habitually temperate; as, a sober man.
That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Thy holy name. Bk. of Com. Prayer.
Not intoxicated or excited by spirituous liquors; as, the sot may at times be sober.
Not mad or insane; not wild, visionary, or heated with passion; exercising cool, dispassionate reason; self-controlled; self-possessed.
There was not a sober person to be had; all was tempestuous and blustering. Druden.

No sober man would put himself into danger for the applause of escaping without breaking his neck. Dryden.
Not proceeding from, or attended with, passion; calm; as, sober judgment; a man in his sober senses.
Serious or subdued in demeanor, habit, appearance, or color; solemn; grave; sedate.
What parts gay France from sober Spain? Prior.

See her sober over a sampler, or gay over a jointed baby. Pope.

Twilight gray Had in her sober livery all things clad. Milton.
Syn. -- Grave; temperate; abstinent; abstemious; moderate; regular; steady; calm; quiet; cool; collected; dispassionate; unimpassioned; sedate; staid; serious; solemn; somber. See Grave.

imperfect & past participle Sobered ; present participle & verbal noun Sobering

To make sober.
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again. Pope.

To become sober; -- often with down.
Vance gradually sobered down. Ld. Lytton.