adj (1)未醉的，清醒的(not drunk)：He seemed～when he left. 他走时似乎没醉。He never goes to bed～. 他上床时从来都是醉熏熏的。a test to determine whether the driver is drunk or～一项确定司机是否饮酒过量的测试;〖反〗drunk;

(2)严肃(认真，冷静)的(serious，thoughtful or solemn)：a～man/event/analysis (of sth)严肃的人/严肃的事件/(对某事的)认真分析;in a～friendly fashion 以一种认真友好的方式;give a～opinion of sth 对某事认真提出意见;make a～estimate of sth 对某事做出冷静的评价;in～truth 事实上;〖同〗solemn，serious，grave;〖反〗happy，gay，joyous;

(3)暗(素)淡的(not brightly-coloured;dull)：a～grey suit/dress 素淡的灰色西装/套裙;～colours 黯淡的颜色;The rooms are～and depressing 房间的颜色黯淡抑郁。〖同〗dull;〖反〗light，bright，showy，colourful;

v(使)严肃认真((cause to) become serious or thoughtful)[I，T+n]：a～ing thought/reminder 严肃的想法/提示;have a～ing effect on sb 使某人变得严肃起来;The news～ed her. 那消息使她清醒。

sober down (v adv)(使)变得严肃(冷静)(vt & vi)：You must find a way to～the child-ren down. 你得想办法让孩子们安下心来。Now just～down，everybody. 请大家安静下来。

sober up (v adv)(使)醒酒(清醒)起来(vt & vi)：I hope this coffee may～him up. 我希望这杯咖啡能使他醒醒酒。He～ed up afterwards. 他后来清醒过来了。

→′soberly adv 朴素地，素淡地;͵sober-′minded adj 严肃(沉着)的;

【辨异】sober 与 grave 和 solemn 的区别见GRAVE。