Etymology Map
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Sober

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means not affected by alcohol; serious

Where does the word "sober" come from? It comes from Latin sobrius, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
sobrius
Latin · ancient
"not drunk"
'se-', without, plus 'ebrius', drunk
2
Stage 2 of 3
sobre
Old French · medieval
"temperate"
also meant serious and calm
3
Stage 3 of 3
sober
English · 1300s
"not drunk"
'sober' colours meaning muted dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Sober’s story begins in Latin: sobrius meant “not drunk.” 'se-', without, plus 'ebrius', drunk. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as sobre. Also meant serious and calm. It reached English by 1300s as sober. 'sober' colours meaning muted dates from the 1600s. Today, sober means not affected by alcohol; serious.