/ ˈsəʊbə(r); NAmE ˈsoʊ-/ adjective , verb
■ adjective
1.
[ not usually before noun ] not drunk (= not affected by alcohol) :
I promised him that I'd stay sober tonight.
He was as sober as a judge (= completely sober ) .
2.
( of people and their behaviour ) serious and sensible :
a sober assessment of the situation
He is honest, sober and hard-working.
On sober reflection (= after some serious thought) , I don't think I really need a car after all.
3.
( of colours or clothes ) plain and not bright :
a sober grey suit
► sober·ly adverb
•
IDIOMS
see stone cold
■ verb
to make sb behave or think in a more serious and sensible way; to become more serious and sensible :
[ vn ]
The bad news sobered us for a while.
[ v ]
He suddenly sobered.
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- sober up | sober sb up
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French sobre , from Latin sobrius .