ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sobs

n. plural-only
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈsɑbz// UK //sˈɒbz// sobs

n. the loud, shaky sounds someone makes when they are crying very hard. It describes the deep breaths and noises that happen when a person is very upset.

n. convulsive, gasping sounds made while weeping. Refers to the physical act of catching one's breath during intense emotional distress.


SIMPLE

Her loud sobs filled the quiet room.

CONTEXTUAL

The child's heavy sobs eventually turned into quiet whimpers as his mother comforted him.

COMPLEX

The silence of the funeral was broken only by the muffled sobs of the grieving family members seated in the front row.

Synonyms
Usage

Usually appears in the plural form to describe the repeated sounds of crying; takes a plural verb.

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