Meaning & use
somber or sombre
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Dark and dull in color; not bright or cheerful.
Grammar: Describes colors, rooms, or clothes: a somber gray suit.
Patterns
- somber colors
- a somber room
- look somber
The walls were painted a somber brown.
She wore a somber black dress to the ceremony.
The sky turned somber just before the storm.
adjectivecomparable
Serious and sad in mood or manner.
Grammar: Often describes faces, voices, or events: a somber mood.
Patterns
- a somber mood
- a somber expression
- sound somber
His voice was somber as he told us the news.
The whole office was in a somber mood after the announcement.
There was a somber silence in the room.
Word forms
| comparative | somberer |
|---|---|
| superlative | somberest |
| British spelling | sombre |
Common combinations
- somber mood
- The party had a somber mood after the bad news.
- somber expression
- He had a somber expression when he walked in.
- somber colors
- The artist used somber colors for the winter scene.
- somber occasion
- The memorial was a somber occasion.
Synonyms and how they differ
- gloomy
- Stronger and often suggests darkness or hopelessness; 'somber' is more neutral and dignified.
- solemn
- Focuses on formal seriousness, while 'somber' adds a feeling of sadness.
- drab
- Used mainly for dull, unattractive colors, not for moods.
Opposites
Word family
- somberly adverb
- In a serious and sad way.
- somberness noun
- The quality of being dark or serious.
Commonly confused: somber or sombre or sober?
somber or sombre vs sober
Means not drunk or serious; it sounds similar but does not mean dark or sad in color.
Practice
Which spelling is correct in British English?
Choose one answer.
British English uses 'sombre', while American English uses 'somber'. The other options are not standard spellings.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “somber or sombre”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.