sob
Definition
Meaning: Sob is a verb that means "to cry noisily, taking short, sudden breaths." It is often used to describe someone crying with great emotion.
La signification : Sob signifie « sangloter » ou « pleurer bruyamment en haletant » en anglais. Il décrit un type de pleurs profonds et bruyants, souvent dus à une douleur émotionnelle.
Example: "She began to sob uncontrollably when she heard the news."
Grammar: Regular verb — sob, sobbed, sobbed. It can be both transitive ("He sobbed his grief") and intransitive ("She sobbed for hours").
Quote: "Then you'd sob and sob and sob so hard you couldn't stand up." [Cheryl Strayed]
NB: Don't confuse the verb to sob or the noun a sob with THE ACRONYM OR ABBREVIATION S. O. B.
Word Analysis
In French »» Sangloter »» Pleurer à chaudes larmes »» Dire en sanglotant Ⓐ Elle s’est mise à sangloter sans pouvoir s’arrêter. Ⓑ Il a pleuré à chaudes larmes en entendant la nouvelle. More English »» To cry noisily »» To weep with gasps »» To wail convulsively Ⓐ The child sobbed into her mother’s arms. Ⓑ He sat in the dark room, sobbing quietly.
Dialogue
Anna: "What’s wrong with Lily?"
Mark: "She’s been sobbing ever since she got the call."
Anna: "Oh no, was it bad news?"
Mark: "That's what they say. It really hit her hard."
Poem Extract
Evidence of the Journey [excerpt]
Pham Thai Phuc, our neighbor’s foster
daughter: thirty years ago, I marveled
at the X’s down her leg, the healed incision
of fifty-caliber bullets. I’d heard her sobbing
when I spent the night, in her sobs the sound
of geese flying through clouds of driving snow.
Arriving or fleeing? What would exile be
without memory, if one could forget the place
refused, the place departed, and return a stranger?
Ralph Sneeden
Read the Full Poem
Etymology
Origin: The verb sob dates back to the late Middle English period, possibly of imitative origin (echoing the sound of gasping cries). Related forms can be traced to Middle Dutch *sobben* or Low German *sobben*.
Modern Usage: Still widely used in both spoken and written English, especially in literature and emotional storytelling. Common in all major English dialects.
Grammar Note: Sob is a regular verb, functioning either transitively or intransitively. Example: “She sobbed the whole night through.”
Audience
Sob is a universally understood English verb used across all dialects and registers. It appears in everyday conversation, formal narratives, and even poetic or dramatic works.
When to use: Use it when describing intense, audible crying, especially in emotionally charged moments. Example: “The child sobbed into her pillow until she fell asleep.”
Extra! Extra!
For a fun and engaging exploration of our word of the day, watch the following…How to pronounce 'sobbing'
Song: Stop your sobbing
WordReference
For more on idiomatic usage, visit the WordReference Forums for discussions, translations, and examples in context.
Here are some quick links for further exploration:
» English⇄English – Discuss and learn about words and their usage.
» English⇄French – Explore translations and linguistic nuances.
» Synonyms⇄Antonyms – Contextual variations, etc.
Common Idioms & Expressions Related to "Sob"
Sob story
A sentimental or emotional story meant to elicit sympathy or pity, often exaggerated or manipulative.
Example: "He gave the judge a sob story about his troubled childhood."
Break down sobbing
To suddenly lose emotional control and begin crying intensely.
Example: "She broke down sobbing when she saw the damage."
Leave someone sobbing
To cause someone to cry deeply, often due to emotional pain or a dramatic event.
Example: "The film’s ending left the audience sobbing."
Reduced to sobs
Describes someone overwhelmed by emotion and crying heavily.
Example: "He was reduced to sobs after hearing the verdict."
Sob quietly / sob uncontrollably
Common collocations used to describe the manner or intensity of crying.
Example: "She sobbed quietly in the back of the room."
A choking sob
A specific type of sob that includes difficulty breathing, often due to intense crying.
Example: "He let out a choking sob and buried his face in his hands."
Sob into (something)
A phrasal structure indicating what one is sobbing into — a pillow, someone's arms, etc.
Example: "She sobbed into her mother’s shoulder."
Sob one's heart out
An idiomatic exaggeration meaning to cry very intensely or for a long time.
Example: "After the breakup, he sobbed his heart out for days."
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