som ‧ bre BrE AmE British English , somber American English /ˈsɒmbə $ ˈsɑːmbər/ adjective
[ Date: 1700-1800 ; Language: French ; Origin: sombre , probably from Latin sub 'under' + umbra 'shade, shadow' ]
1 . sad and serious SYN grave :
They sat in sombre silence.
We were all in a somber mood that night.
a sombre expression
on the sombre occasion of his mother’s funeral
2 . dark and without any bright colours:
a sombre grey suit
—sombrely adverb
—sombreness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
■ not joking
▪ serious not joking or laughing, or not pretending:
His voice sounded serious.
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They seem to be serious about their relationship.
▪ solemn very serious because of an important or sad occasion or ceremony:
My father looked solemn, the way grown-ups look at funerals.
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The judge read the verdict in a solemn voice.
▪ grave written quiet and very serious – used especially about the way people look when something important or worrying happens:
She consulted Doctor Staples and returned looking grave.
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He listened with a grave expression on his face.
▪ sombre British English ( also somber American English ) /ˈsɒmbə $ ˈsɑːmbər/ written sad, quiet, or serious because something unpleasant or worrying has happened or is going to happen:
They sat in sombre silence.
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The meeting began in a sombre mood.
▪ earnest very serious and sincere – often used about someone who is young and not very experienced:
He was a rather earnest-looking young man.
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‘That’s wrong,’ she said, her voice sounding very earnest.