sober

sober — 形容詞

1. A person who is sober has drunk no alcohol, or shows no outward signs of having

1.形容詞B1
釋義

清醒的

沒有喝醉或不受酒精影響的狀態

A person who is sober has drunk no alcohol, or shows no outward signs of having consumed any alcoholic drink.

例句

Felix stayed sober at the party so he could drive his friends home.

Felix 在派對上保持清醒，這樣他就能開車送朋友回家。

collocation: stay sober

The officer asked Yumi to walk in a straight line to prove she was sober.

警察要求 Yumi 走直線來證明她是清醒的。

同義詞
  • not drunk

    direct equivalent, less formal

  • clear-headed

    emphasises mental clarity rather than simply the absence of alcohol

反義詞
  • drunk

    opposite state

  • intoxicated

    formal or medical term for being under the influence

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 2 (LONG-TERM ABSTINENCE): this sense describes one's state at a particular moment, not sustained recovery from addiction.

常見錯誤

❌He is a sober person who never drinks alcohol at parties.
✅He stayed sober at the party because he had to drive.
💡This sense is about a temporary state, not a lifestyle choice.

2. Refers to someone who no longer consumes alcohol or uses illegal drugs over many

2.形容詞B2
釋義

戒癮的

成癮者持續戒除酒或毒品一段時間的狀態

Refers to someone who no longer consumes alcohol or uses illegal drugs over many months or years, particularly after having been addicted in the past.

例句

Tariq has been sober for three years after completing a rehabilitation programme.

Tariq 完成戒癮計畫後，已經戒酒三年了。

collocation: been sober for [period]

The support group meets every Tuesday to help members stay sober through difficult times.

互助小組每週二聚會，幫助成員在艱難時期保持戒癮的狀態。

同義詞
  • abstinent

    more formal, used in medical contexts

  • clean

    informal, more common for drug abstinence than alcohol

  • dry

    informal, used specifically for alcohol abstinence

反義詞
  • addicted

    opposite state of dependence

  • relapsed

    refers to returning to substance use after a period of abstinence

用法筆記

Subject is a person recovering from addiction. Commonly used with a duration: 'sober for [X years/months]'. Not used for temporary abstinence (e.g. choosing not to drink on one occasion).

常見錯誤

❌I stayed sober at dinner last night.
✅I am sober now and attend meetings every week.
💡Using sense 2 for a single evening is incorrect; sense 1 is the right choice for one-time decisions.

3. Describes a social occasion or gathering at which alcoholic drinks are intention

3.形容詞B1
釋義

無酒

不提供或不飲用酒精飲料的社交場合

Describes a social occasion or gathering at which alcoholic drinks are intentionally not offered or consumed by the participants.

例句

The office holiday party was a sober event this year, with only soft drinks served.

公司今年的年終派對是無酒活動，只提供軟性飲料。

collocation: sober event

Hannah planned a sober wedding reception so her elderly relatives would feel comfortable.

Hannah 策劃了一場無酒婚宴，讓年長的親戚感到自在。

同義詞
  • dry

    informal equivalent, e.g. 'a dry wedding'

  • nonalcoholic

    more general term for events or drinks without alcohol

用法筆記

Only used for events and gatherings. Not used to describe food, drink, or non-social contexts. An event described as 'sober' means no alcohol is involved, not that the atmosphere is serious.

4. A person who is sober behaves in a thoughtful, controlled, and serious manner, w

4.形容詞B1
釋義

沉穩的

態度嚴肅、冷靜、不情緒化的

A person who is sober behaves in a thoughtful, controlled, and serious manner, without strong emotions, playfulness, or exaggeration.

例句

The judge remained sober and focused throughout the ten-day trial.

法官在長達十天的審判中始終保持沉穩專注。

collocation: remained sober

Jessica's sober expression told the children that she was not joking.

Jessica 沉穩的表情讓孩子們知道她不是在開玩笑。

collocation: sober expression

同義詞
  • serious

    more general; 'sober' emphasises calm control while 'serious' can mean any degree of importance

  • solemn

    more formal and grave, often used in ceremonial contexts

  • earnest

    suggests sincere conviction rather than emotional restraint

  • sedate

    emphasises unhurried calm, sometimes suggesting dullness

反義詞
  • frivolous

    lack of seriousness or good sense

  • excited

    emotionally stirred up, opposite of calm control

用法筆記

Frequently used to describe a person's manner, facial expression, voice, or judgment. Distinguish from sense 5 (PLAIN COLOURS), which describes the appearance of objects or clothing, not a person's demeanour.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor had a sober face when giving the bad news.
✅The doctor gave a sober assessment of the patient's condition.
💡'Sober face' is acceptable colloquially, but 'sober expression' or 'sober assessment' are more natural collocations.

5. Sober clothes or colours are simple, not shiny or bright, and avoid patterns or

5.形容詞B2
釋義

樸素的

衣著或顏色簡單、不鮮豔的

Sober clothes or colours are simple, not shiny or bright, and avoid patterns or decorations that draw attention.

例句

Yumi wore a sober grey suit to the job interview.

Yumi 穿著一件樸素的灰色套裝去面試。

collocation: sober [colour] suit

Lakan prefers sober colours like navy blue and charcoal grey.

Lakan 偏好樸素的顏色，像是海軍藍和炭灰色。

同義詞
  • plain

    more common word for simple, undecorated appearance

  • subdued

    suggests deliberately understated or muted tones

  • sombre

    British spelling; adds a slightly darker or more sorrowful tone

反義詞
  • bright

    vividly coloured or luminous

  • flashy

    showy and intended to attract attention

用法筆記

Only used for visual appearance — clothing, colours, interior design. Not used to describe sounds, tastes, or personalities. Distinguish from sense 4 (SERIOUS AND CALM), which describes a person's behaviour or manner.

sober — 動詞