WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
sob /sɑb/USA pronunciation
v., sobbed, sob•bing, n.
v.
n. [countable]
S.O.B. or SOB, (sometimes l.c.)[Slang.]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026v.
- to weep with a catching of the breath or in sudden, short gasps:[no object]She sobbed at the news.
- to put or send (oneself) by sobbing:[~ + object]to sob oneself to sleep.
- to say with sobs: [~ + object]to sob an answer.[used with quotations]"I want her back!'' he sobbed.
n. [countable]
- the act of sobbing, or a sound suggesting this:The baby let out a few more sobs, then fell asleep.
S.O.B. or SOB, (sometimes l.c.)[Slang.]
- Slang Termsan abbreviation of: son of a bitch.
sob
(sob),USA pronunciation v., sobbed, sob•bing, n.
v.i.
v.t.
n.
sob′ber, n.
sob′bing•ly, adv.
sob′ful, adj.
S.O.B., (sometimes l.c.)[Slang.]
v.i.
- to weep with a convulsive catching of the breath.
- to make a sound resembling this.
v.t.
- to utter with sobs.
- to put, send, etc., by sobbing or with sobs:to sob oneself to sleep.
n.
- the act of sobbing;
a convulsive catching of the breath in weeping. - any sound suggesting this.
- Middle English sobben, apparently imitative 1150–1200
sob′bing•ly, adv.
sob′ful, adj.
S.O.B., (sometimes l.c.)[Slang.]
- Slang TermsSee son of a bitch.
's.o.b.' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):