SOBERNESS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does soberness mean? 

• SOBERNESS (noun)
  The noun SOBERNESS has 2 senses:

1. the state of being sober and not intoxicated by alcohol

2. a manner that is serious and solemn

  Familiarity information: SOBERNESS used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SOBERNESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The state of being sober and not intoxicated by alcohol

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

soberness; sobriety

Hypernyms ("soberness" is a kind of...):

temporary state (a state that continues for a limited time)

Antonym:

drunkenness (a temporary state resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol)

Derivation:

sober (not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol))

Sense 2

Meaning:

A manner that is serious and solemn

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

graveness; gravity; soberness; sobriety; somberness; sombreness

Hypernyms ("soberness" is a kind of...):

earnestness; serious-mindedness; seriousness; sincerity (the trait of being serious)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "soberness"):

stodginess; stuffiness (dull and pompous gravity)

Derivation:

sober (dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises)

sober (completely lacking in playfulness)

 Context examples 

Mr. Yates had staid to see the destruction of every theatrical preparation at Mansfield, the removal of everything appertaining to the play: he left the house in all the soberness of its general character; and Sir Thomas hoped, in seeing him out of it, to be rid of the worst object connected with the scheme, and the last that must be inevitably reminding him of its existence.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)