sombre

IPA/ˈsɒmbə(r)/
IPA/ˈsɑːmbər/

sombre — adjective

  • sombrepositive
  • sombrercomparative
  • sombrestsuperlative

1. having a serious, sad, or gloomy quality — used to describe a person's mood, exp

1.形容詞B2
釋義

having a serious, sad, or gloomy quality — used to describe a person's mood, expression, or the atmosphere of an event or place where there is little humour or brightness.

例句

Henry's face grew sombre as he listened to the refugee's story.

collocation: sombre face / expression

The mood in the hospital waiting room was sombre after the doctor's announcement.

collocation: sombre mood / atmosphere

同義詞
  • grave

    more formal and suggests a weighty seriousness; less emotional than sombre

  • solemn

    implies dignity and formality without necessarily being sad

  • gloomy

    suggests hopelessness or pessimism; stronger negativity than sombre

  • melancholy

    a pensive, reflective sadness that lasts longer

反義詞
  • cheerful

    full of happiness and optimism

  • bright

    lively and full of light or positive feeling

用法筆記

Often describes mood, atmosphere, expression, or tone. It is stronger than 'serious' but less intense than 'mournful'.

常見錯誤

❌He was sombre when he passed the exam.
✅He was sombre when he heard his grandfather had died.
💡'sombre' describes sadness or gravity, not neutral or positive situations.

2. dark in colour and without bright or decorative features — used to describe clot

2.形容詞B2
釋義

dark in colour and without bright or decorative features — used to describe clothes, walls, furniture, landscapes, or anything whose appearance is deliberately plain and subdued in shade.

例句

For the ceremony, Joaquín wore a sombre black suit with a white shirt.

collocation: sombre suit / clothes

The old painting showed a sombre landscape of grey hills under heavy clouds.

同義詞
  • dark

    simpler and more common; does not carry the 'plain' or 'serious' connotation

  • dull

    more negative; suggests boring or uninteresting rather than deliberately plain

  • subdued

    implies colours are intentionally muted or toned down

反義詞

用法筆記

Typically describes colours, clothing, or decor that are deliberately plain and dark. When applied to art or design, it may imply a lack of ornamentation rather than sadness.

常見錯誤

❌She wore a sombre pink dress with flowers.
✅She wore a sombre grey dress without any patterns.
💡'sombre' describes plain, dark items, not bright or decorated ones.