somber

adjective

som·​ber ˈsäm-bər How to pronounce somber (audio)
variants or sombre
1
: so shaded as to be dark and gloomy
2
a
: of a serious mien : grave
somber dignitaries
b
: of a dismal or depressing character : melancholy
c
: conveying gloomy suggestions or ideas
3
: of a dull or heavy cast or shade : dark colored
somberly adverb
somberness noun

Example Sentences

Looking out at his audience, a somber mass of monks, Gregory gave Mary a new identity that would shape her image for fourteen hundred years. Jonathan Darman, Newsweek, 29 May 2006 This year marks a somber anniversary—it was 150 years ago that humans wiped out the last survivors of this species. A relative of the razorbills and puffins, and about the size of a small goose, the great auk was black-bodied with a white underbelly, and walked erect, like a penguin. Bill Montevecchi, Natural History, August 1994 The purple darkness was filled with men who lectured and jabbered. Sometimes he could see them gesticulating against the blue and somber sky. Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1895 Her death put us in a somber mood. The movie is a somber portrait of life on the streets. He wore a somber suit. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Like a final episode from a beloved sitcom, The Family does its best to tie up deep, loose ends while taking both new and old fans alike on a somber yet fun ride. Mark Braboy, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2022 Among all the rest, Halloween can be a somber yet useful occasion. Faith Bottum, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2022 The song is a sweeping and somber composition with no lyrics. Ben Goggin, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2022 His stentorian tone was satisfyingly full, suggesting a successful operatic career ahead for somber or sinister baritone roles. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Oct. 2022 Its eight tracks of disco beats and spoken-word poetry veer from operatic and euphoric to subtle and somber. Ew Staff, EW.com, 30 Sep. 2022 The wedding, somber and private, happens hastily a short time later next to the long table of rotting leftovers — quite the metaphor. Omar L. Gallaga, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2022 Among them, naturally, are Prince William and Kate Middleton, who arrived at the service looking somber and stately. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 19 Sep. 2022 Charles and Anne were by Queen Elizabeth's side in her final hours, and Anne has had the somber but important duty of guiding her mother's coffin on its journey through Scotland to England. Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'somber.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

French sombre

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of somber was in 1760

Dictionary Entries Near somber

Cite this Entry

“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/somber. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Kids Definition

somber

adjective
som·​ber
variants or sombre
1
: so shaded as to be dark and gloomy
2
3
: dull or dark colored
somberly adverb
somberness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on somber

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