sob

[ sob ]
See synonyms for sob on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),sobbed, sob·bing.
  1. to weep with a convulsive catching of the breath.

  2. to make a sound resembling this.

verb (used with object),sobbed, sob·bing.
  1. to utter with sobs.

  2. to put, send, etc., by sobbing or with sobs: to sob oneself to sleep.

noun
  1. the act of sobbing; a convulsive catching of the breath in weeping.

  2. any sound suggesting this.

Origin of sob

1
1150–1200; Middle English sobben, apparently imitative

Other words from sob

  • sobber, noun
  • sob·bing·ly, adverb
  • sobful, adjective

Words Nearby sob

Other definitions for S.O.B. (2 of 2)

S.O.B.

abbreviation(sometimes lowercase)Slang.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use sob in a sentence

  • A sob rose in her throat, and broke from her lips transformed into a trembling, sharp, glad cry.

    The Bondboy | George W. (George Washington) Ogden
  • No sob, no sigh, forced its way from her heart, throbbing as though it would burst.

  • And no sooner had she guessed it than, with a choking sob, she told herself that what madame could do that could she also.

    St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
  • He was choking down a sob when he caught sight of some women with packs upon their backs.

    The Later Cave-Men | Katharine Elizabeth Dopp
  • “No,” she said decidedly; and her little lips were tightly compressed, so that they should not give vent to a sob.

    The Bag of Diamonds | George Manville Fenn

British Dictionary definitions for sob (1 of 2)

sob

/ (sɒb) /


verbsobs, sobbing or sobbed
  1. (intr) to weep with convulsive gasps

  2. (tr) to utter with sobs

  1. to cause (oneself) to be in a specified state by sobbing: to sob oneself to sleep

noun
  1. a convulsive gasp made in weeping

Origin of sob

1
C12: probably from Low German; compare Dutch sabben to suck

Derived forms of sob

  • sobber, noun
  • sobbing, noun, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for s.o.b. (2 of 2)

s.o.b.

/ slang, mainly US and Canadian /


abbreviation for
  1. son of a bitch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012