sombre
Britishadjective
-
dismal; melancholy
a sombre mood
-
dim, gloomy, or shadowy
-
(of colour, clothes, etc) sober, dull, or dark
Other Word Forms
- sombrely adverb
- sombreness noun
- sombrous adjective
Etymology
Origin of sombre
C18: from French, from Vulgar Latin subumbrāre (unattested) to shade, from Latin sub beneath + umbra shade
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Easter celebrations are shaping up to be sombre for Christians in the Middle East.
From Barron's
It's a sombre moment for Silicon Valley and the implications are global.
From BBC
He was known for his powerful voice, moving easily between romantic ballads and more sombre songs.
From BBC
It's a sombre end to our time together.
From BBC
"When I came last time and went back to the hotel for breakfast it was so sombre and quiet," she said.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
