Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [som-ber]
- /ˈsɒm bər/
- /ˈsɒm.bər/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [som-ber]
- /ˈsɒm bər/
Definitions of somber word
- adjective somber gloomily dark; shadowy; dimly lighted: a somber passageway. 1
- adjective somber dark and dull, as color, or as things in respect to color: a somber dress. 1
- adjective somber gloomy, depressing, or dismal: a somber mood. 1
- adjective somber extremely serious; grave: a somber expression on his face. 1
- adjective somber person: grave, serious 1
- adjective somber mood: seriously, gloomy 1
Information block about the term
Origin of somber
First appearance:
before 1750 One of the 47% newest English words
1750-60; < French sombre, Middle French, probably noun derivative of *sombrer to make shady < Vulgar Latin *subumbrāre, equivalent to Latin sub- sub- + umbrāre to cast a shadow, derivative of umbra shade
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Somber
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
somber popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 90% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
somber usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for somber
adj somber
- aphotic — characterized by or growing in the absence of light
- asher — the son of Jacob and ancestor of one of the 12 tribes of Israel
- austere — If you describe something as austere, you approve of its plain and simple appearance.
- black — lacking hue and brightness; absorbing light without reflecting any of the rays composing it.
- bleak — If a situation is bleak, it is bad, and seems unlikely to improve.
adjective somber
- acherontic — Of or pertaining to Acheron; infernal; hence, dismal, gloomy; moribund.
- amphibological — (rare) of doubtful meaning, ambiguous, quibbling.
- atramentous — similar to or as black as ink
- cinereal — relating to the grey matter of the brain and nervous system
- dim — DIM statement
Antonyms for somber
adj somber
- aglow — If something is aglow, it is shining and bright with a soft, warm light.
- auroral — of or like the dawn.
- bright — A bright colour is strong and noticeable, and not dark.
- carnivalesque — characteristic of, suitable for, or like a carnival
- chirpy — If you describe a person or their behaviour as chirpy, you mean they are very cheerful and lively.
adjective somber
- fulgid — Scintillant, coruscant; marked by fleeting flashes of radiant light.
- jazzy — pertaining to or suggestive of jazz music.
- mirrorlike — Resembling a mirror; reflective.
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See also
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