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Definition of somber

somber

/ˈsɑːm.bɚ/
(UK: sombre)
som · ber
Adverb:somberly
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somber Lexical Profile

somber Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

American Grave, serious, or melancholy in mood, character, or demeanor.

Example

"The memorial service maintained a somber and respectful atmosphere throughout the afternoon."

2

American Dark, dull, or shadowy in color or lighting; lacking brightness.

Example

"The portrait was painted in somber tones of charcoal, brown, and deep slate gray."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Spelled 'somber' in American English and 'sombre' in British and Commonwealth English.

• Nearby Words

somali carpet viper
somalia
somalian
somber
somberly
somberness
sombrero

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-18th century from French sombre ('dark, gloomy'), which derives from Vulgar Latin *subumbrare ('to cast in shadow'), formed from Latin sub- ('under') and umbra ('shade, shadow').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Somber. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/somber
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