Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun etc. See
somber , etc.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective
Dark ;gloomy . - adjective
Dull or dark incolour . - adjective
Melancholy ; dismal. - adjective
Grave . - noun obsolete
gloom ;obscurity ;duskiness
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adjective lacking brightness or color; dull
- adjective grave or even gloomy in character
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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For his picture does remain sombre, since for him the nature of man is wounded, if not corrupted.
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As we reached the windmill, as though in sombre greeting, the floating mists on the near horizon seemed to part, and there rose from them a dark, jagged tower, one side of it torn away.
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Under the working of these thoughts, Mr. Carleton sometimes forgot to talk to his little charge, and would walk for a length of way by her side, wrapped up in sombre musings.
Queechy 1854
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But several depict Obama alone, his expression sombre, even weary.
Barack Obama's down but not out Jonathan Freedland 2010
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He recalled the sombre anguish he had surprised in the young girl's eyes, then her comforted glance when her mother smiled at once upon Gorka and Maitland.
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He recalled the sombre anguish he had surprised in the young girl's eyes, then her comforted glance when her mother smiled at once upon Gorka and Maitland.
Cosmopolis — Complete Paul Bourget 1893
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The mood at yesterday's mostly private meeting between families and Sir John and four members of his committee was described as sombre and quietly emotional.
The Daily Star 2009
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But then, the atmosphere at The GRV last night could only be described as sombre, so it's fair to say that an off night was had by all.
unknown title 2008
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Who the hell in the media got the idea that the shows were "sombre"?
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The fact is, the "sombre" message (as it is being officially endorsed) of a jewel encrusted and glorified dynastic ruler is a far cry from the values of humility and humanity that Jesus Christ represents for those of the Abrahamic faiths.
Shirin Sadeghi: Ahmadinejad's Alternative to the Queen's Christmas Message 2009
yarb commented on the word sombre
Yet the dust advances like a ghost along the road, down the valley plain. The dry turf of the valley-bed gleams like soft skin, sunlit and pinkish ochre, spreading wide between the mountains that seem to emit their own darkness, a dark-blue vapour translucent, sombring them from the humped crests downwards. The many-pleated, noiseless mountains of Mexico.
- D.H. Lawrence, Market Day, from Mornings in Mexico, 1927
October 5, 2008