sober Definition

sober
adj

1. Not at all drunk.

Thesaurus: temperate, abstemious, abstinent, moderate; Antonym: drunk.
2. Serious, solemn or restrained; not frivolous or extravagant.

Thesaurus: solemn, earnest, grave, serious, sensible, sombre, placid, calm, staid, dispassionate, rational, sedate, realistic; Antonym: excitable, frivolous.
3. Suggesting sedateness or seriousness rather than exuberance or frivolity.

Example: sober clothes
Example: sober colours
4. Plain; unembellished.

Example: the sober truth

verb, tr & intr sobered, sobering

1. To become, or make someone, quieter, less excited, etc.

Form: sober down (always)
Form: sober someone down
2. To become, or make someone, free from the effects of alcohol.

Form: sober up (always)
Form: sober someone up

Derivative: sobering
adj

Causing someone to become serious or thoughtful.
Example: a sobering thought

Derivative: soberly
adverb

Etymology: 14c: from Latin sobrius, from se- not + ebrius drunk.