sobriety

[ suh-brahy-i-tee, soh- ]

noun

1. the state or quality of being sober rather than intoxicated.
2. temperance or moderation, especially in the use of alcoholic beverages.
3. the condition of a person addicted to alcohol, or to some other mood-altering substance, who successfully abstains from its use and from other associated habits while addressing the root causes of dependency and adopting a new outlook on life: abstinence ( def 3 ).

   She’s turned herself around after entering a treatment center with staff who never gave up on her until she achieved sobriety.

   Even once you have attained sobriety, recovery is a lifelong process.

4. seriousness, gravity, or solemnity:

   Our farewell gathering for the six laid-off employees was an event marked by sobriety.

sobriety

/ səʊˈbraɪətɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being sober
2. the quality of refraining from excess
3. the quality of being serious or sedate

Other Words From

• non·so·bri·e·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sobriety¹

1375–1425; late Middle English sobrietie (< Old French sobriete ) < Latin sōbrietās, equivalent to sōbri ( us ) sober + -etās, variant of -itās -ity after vowel stems

Example Sentences

The look costume designer Grace Snell created for the character’s sobriety journey in nature for “The Outrun.”

From Los Angeles Times

Summerall died of complications from hip surgery following two decades of sobriety.

From Los Angeles Times

He said they often spoke “candidly about sobriety, sharing stories and one-upping each other. We could laugh about it all, because if you’re still there to talk about it, that means you’re moving in a good direction.”

From Los Angeles Times

Payne also had recently made his first serious commitment to sobriety.

From Los Angeles Times

“I don’t believe that anybody should put themselves into a position of pressure in the first year of their sobriety.”

From Los Angeles Times