Meaning & use
somber
Last updated
UK/ˈsɒmbə/
US/ˈsɑːmbɚ/
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Serious and sad in mood, with no cheerfulness.
Grammar: Can come before a noun or after a verb: a somber mood, he looked somber.
Patterns
- somber about something
The mood at the funeral was somber.
He gave a somber speech about the tragedy.
adjectivecomparable
Dark and dull in color or light.
Grammar: Usually before a noun: somber colors.
She wore a somber gray coat.
The room was lit by a somber glow.
Word forms
| comparative | somberer |
|---|---|
| superlative | somberest |
Common combinations
- somber mood
- A somber mood filled the room.
- somber tone
- The anchor spoke in a somber tone.
- somber occasion
- It was a somber occasion.
- somber colors
- He prefers somber colors.
- look somber
- Everyone looked somber.
Synonyms and how they differ
- solemn
- Stresses dignity and seriousness rather than sadness.
- gloomy
- Suggests hopelessness and is less formal.
- grave
- Means serious and important, often about situations.
- dull
- Means lacking brightness but has no sense of seriousness.
Opposites
Word family
- somberly adverb
- in a serious and sad way
- somberness noun
- the quality of being somber
Commonly confused: somber or sober?
somber vs sober
Sober means not drunk or seriously calm; somber means gloomy or dark.
Practice
Which event would most naturally have a somber atmosphere?
Choose one answer.
Somber means serious and sad, which fits a memorial service. The other events are cheerful.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “somber”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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