Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

soberly

/sˈoʊbɚli/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.19 in modern English

Syllables: sober-ly
IPA: /sˈoʊbɚli/

12

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

In a sober manner; temperately; coolly; calmly; gravely; seriously.

Example Sentences

"Amongst this number of cordials and alteratives I do not find a more present remedy than a cup of wine or strong drink, if it be soberly and opportunely used."
"They gathered soberly in the farthest recess of the ward and gossiped about him in malicious, offended undertones, rebelling against his presence as a ghastly imposition and resenting him malevolently for the nauseating truth of which he was bright reminder."

Etymology

From Middle English soberly; equivalent to sober + -ly.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: *h₁egʷʰ-, soberly

Inflected Forms

more soberly (comparative) most soberly (superlative)

Synonyms

gravely staidly

Rhymes With

moberly oberly coberly

Questions

How do you pronounce soberly?: The recorded pronunciation is /sˈoʊbɚli/.
What does soberly mean?: In a sober manner; temperately; coolly; calmly; gravely; seriously.
Where does soberly come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce soberly

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “soberly”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/sˈoʊbɚli/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “soberly”.
Repeat and practice — Say “soberly” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.