sombre

/ ˈsɒmbrəs; ˈsɒmbə /

adjective

1. dismal; melancholy

   a sombre mood

2. dim, gloomy, or shadowy
3. (of colour, clothes, etc) sober, dull, or dark

Derived Forms

• ˈsombreness, noun
• sombrous, adjective
• ˈsombrely, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sombre¹

C18: from French, from Vulgar Latin subumbrāre (unattested) to shade, from Latin sub beneath + umbra shade

Example Sentences

It was sombre and restrained, yet powerfully emotional.

From BBC

The sombre mood outside the CasaSur Hotel reflects the grim nature of the news that has been emerging over the last 24 hours.

From BBC

This summer Rami and Simon also took on the sombre task of digging graves for Be'eri's dead, who are only just being moved back to the kibbutz from cemeteries elsewhere in Israel.

From BBC

Kristofferson's sombre, emotional vocal is both spellbinding and heartbreaking.

From BBC

"The mood is sombre," Mr Bobbit said.

From BBC

Related Words

• boring
• flat
• ho-hum
• muted
• uninspired