Somber

Practice This Word

Gloomy, dark, or serious in mood or appearance; not cheerful.

adjective

Somber

Gloomy, dark, or serious in mood or appearance; not cheerful.

adjective

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Imagine This

Imagine entering a dim, candlelit hall after grave news. People wear dark clothing, a hush hangs in the air, and the overall mood feels heavy and somber.

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Sounds Like

SOM-ber (sounds like 'som-ber' with emphasis on the first syllable)

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Looks Like

Resembles the word 'sombre' (British spelling) and visually evokes shade or shadow via the 'ombre' component.

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Remember This

Somber describes both mood and color when they appear grave or serious, often used for funerals, formal occasions, or solemn reflections.

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Other Forms

sombernessnoun

somberlyadverb

sombreadjective

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Connect With

gloomy, solemn, grave, melancholic, bleak

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Note

British English uses the spelling sombre; American English uses somber. Both are correct depending on region. Do not confuse with 'somber' meaning slightly dim vs 'somber' meaning emotionally grave.

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Study Deeper

Examples

The ceremony had a somber atmosphere as mourners paid their respects.
He wore a somber suit to the funeral, which matched the mood of the day.

Synonyms

gloomysolemngrimmelancholyserious

Antonyms

brightcheerfullivelyoptimistic

Etymology

From Old French sombre meaning shade or gloom, from Latin umbra meaning shadow; the sense shifted from physical shade to a figurative gloom or seriousness.

Mnemonic

Mnemonic: S + ombre — ombre means shade in French; add S to ombre to get somber. Shade causes mood to turn somber (gloomy).

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Altruistic

adjective

Showing a selfless concern for the welfare of others; unselfishly generous.

Embrace

verb

To hold someone closely in your arms as a sign of affection; to welcome, accept, or adopt something (such as an idea, change, or opportunity) with enthusiasm.