English Reference
Noun

sobriety

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US /səˈbɹaɪəti/ UK /səbɹˈaɪəti/ so·bri·ety UK spelling sobrieties

n.the state of not being drunk or under the influence of drugs. It can also mean being serious and sensible in your behavior.

n.the state of being sober, specifically the absence of intoxication by alcohol or drugs. In a broader sense, refers to a quality of seriousness, gravity, or solemnity in manner or style.


SIMPLE

He celebrated five years of continuous sobriety today.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor emphasized that maintaining long-term sobriety requires a strong support network and healthy lifestyle changes.

COMPLEX

The architect's design was praised for its aesthetic sobriety, eschewing modern trends in favor of clean lines and functional simplicity that commanded quiet respect.

Usage

Uncountable in both its medical and behavioral senses.

Galliano's new statement noted his "15 years of sobriety and recovery from alcoholism and addiction".

BBC News· 31 Aug 2026

Even more concerning, common field sobriety tests often failed to detect the cannabis-related impairment.

ScienceDaily· 29 May 2026

From Old French sobriete, from Latin sobrietas.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated