Definition

Having a dark or dull color; serious and sad in mood.

Example

The somber atmosphere at the funeral made everyone feel heavy-hearted.

Conversation

I watched that new movie last night, and it had a really somber tone throughout.

Oh really? I heard it was quite heavy.

Yeah, the atmosphere was so somber that it made me think a lot after it ended.

Sometimes those kinds of movies can be really impactful.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Somber originates from the Old French word *sombre*, meaning dark or gloomy. The word reflects a state of being dark or dull in color or mood.

Memory Tip

Imagine a scene that is dark and gloomy, which helps you remember that 'somber' describes something that is serious or sad.

Visually Confused Words