sober
/ˈsəʊbə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsəʊbər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsō-bər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsəʊ.bər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsoʊ.bɚ/ (ame, ipa)
sober — adjective
- soberpositive
- soberercomparative
- soberestsuperlative
1. A person who is sober has drunk no alcohol, or shows no outward signs of having
A person who is sober has drunk no alcohol, or shows no outward signs of having consumed any alcoholic drink.
Felix stayed sober at the party so he could drive his friends home.
collocation: stay sober
The officer asked Yumi to walk in a straight line to prove she was sober.
After drinking only water all evening, Indra felt perfectly sober.
The police report confirmed that both drivers were sober when the accident happened.
- not drunk
direct equivalent, less formal
- clear-headed
emphasises mental clarity rather than simply the absence of alcohol
- drunk
opposite state
- intoxicated
formal or medical term for being under the influence
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (LONG-TERM ABSTINENCE): this sense describes one's state at a particular moment, not sustained recovery from addiction.
常見錯誤
2. Refers to someone who no longer consumes alcohol or uses illegal drugs over many
Refers to someone who no longer consumes alcohol or uses illegal drugs over many months or years, particularly after having been addicted in the past.
Tariq has been sober for three years after completing a rehabilitation programme.
collocation: been sober for [period]
The support group meets every Tuesday to help members stay sober through difficult times.
Elena celebrated five years of being completely sober with her family and close friends.
Gita's doctor recommended that she remain sober while taking the new medication.
用法筆記
Subject is a person recovering from addiction. Commonly used with a duration: 'sober for [X years/months]'. Not used for temporary abstinence (e.g. choosing not to drink on one occasion).
常見錯誤
3. Describes a social occasion or gathering at which alcoholic drinks are intention
Describes a social occasion or gathering at which alcoholic drinks are intentionally not offered or consumed by the participants.
The office holiday party was a sober event this year, with only soft drinks served.
collocation: sober event
Hannah planned a sober wedding reception so her elderly relatives would feel comfortable.
Élise decided to host a sober dinner party after her friends complained about hangovers.
More young people today choose sober celebrations over events with alcohol.
- dry
informal equivalent, e.g. 'a dry wedding'
- nonalcoholic
more general term for events or drinks without alcohol
用法筆記
Only used for events and gatherings. Not used to describe food, drink, or non-social contexts. An event described as 'sober' means no alcohol is involved, not that the atmosphere is serious.
4. A person who is sober behaves in a thoughtful, controlled, and serious manner, w
A person who is sober behaves in a thoughtful, controlled, and serious manner, without strong emotions, playfulness, or exaggeration.
The judge remained sober and focused throughout the ten-day trial.
collocation: remained sober
Jessica's sober expression told the children that she was not joking.
collocation: sober expression
Elena gave a sober assessment of the company's financial problems.
Nala's voice was sober and steady when she described the accident.
用法筆記
Frequently used to describe a person's manner, facial expression, voice, or judgment. Distinguish from sense 5 (PLAIN COLOURS), which describes the appearance of objects or clothing, not a person's demeanour.
常見錯誤
5. Sober clothes or colours are simple, not shiny or bright, and avoid patterns or
Sober clothes or colours are simple, not shiny or bright, and avoid patterns or decorations that draw attention.
Yumi wore a sober grey suit to the job interview.
collocation: sober [colour] suit
Lakan prefers sober colours like navy blue and charcoal grey.
The walls of the study were painted in a sober shade of beige.
Nala chose a sober dress without any patterns or decorations.
用法筆記
Only used for visual appearance — clothing, colours, interior design. Not used to describe sounds, tastes, or personalities. Distinguish from sense 4 (SERIOUS AND CALM), which describes a person's behaviour or manner.
sober — verb
- soberpresent simple I / you / we / they
- sobers3rd person singular
- sobering-ing form
- soberedpast simple
1. To become more serious, calm, and clear-headed after a period of excitement, lau
To become more serious, calm, and clear-headed after a period of excitement, laughter, shock, or drinking; or to cause a person or group to reach this state.
The news of the company layoffs sobered everyone in the office.
transitive: sobered + someone
Tariq sobered up quickly when he saw the damage to his car.
phrasal verb: sober up
Hannah's expression sobered as she listened to the doctor's diagnosis.
The tragic documentary about the war completely sobered Jessica.
The team's laughter died down when the coach's serious words sobered them.
- calm down
more general, less formal; does not carry the same weight of seriousness
- bring down to earth
idiomatic; suggests making someone more realistic or less idealistic
- excite
stir up emotion or enthusiasm, opposite of becoming calm and serious
文法句型
sober (sb)
sober up
sober (from sth)
用法筆記
Often used with 'up' in informal contexts to mean recovering from drunkenness: 'sober (sb) up'. The transitive pattern (sober someone) typically involves shocking or serious news that changes their mood.