somber hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somber hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a time that is serious, gloomy, or reflective, often in a context of mourning or sadness. Example: "The somber hour of the memorial service brought everyone together in shared grief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The canyons of Midtown can be intimidating at that somber hour.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We started off not wanting that to happen," he said, describing quiet and somber hours of conversation.

The New York Times

At over six feet tall, the energetic 41-year-old stands out from the relatively somber rush hour crowd making their way to the office buildings of downtown Austin, Texas.

Vice

Clinton Booed After Hitting Obama On "Plagiarism": After an hour of somber, substantive debating between Obama and Clinton, the issue of plagiarism "brought the two candidates out of their slumber".

Huffington Post

For 10 years he's been posting a new digital illustration ranging from the abstract to representative, sci-fi to surreal, somber to sarcastic every 24 hours.

Vice

For the next 10 hours, she performed somber music between news bulletins.

The New York Times - Arts

Set at a filled Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State's campus, Thursday's mostly somber two-and-a-half-hour ceremony, titled "A Memorial for Joe," attracted alumni and fans, as well as dozens of former Nittany Lions players and luminaries.

The New York Times - Sports

And in the opening scene of "The Hours," the eloquent, somber screen adaptation of Michael Cunningham's meditation on that suicide (it won the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for fiction), Woolf scrawls an anguished farewell letter to her husband, then hurries into the muddy water like Joan of Arc embracing the fire, accompanied by the churning, ethereal strains of Philip Glass's score.

The New York Times

People had shopping to do, some have kids and they said, 'Let's finish it.' " After nine hours of deliberations on Thursday, the somber jurors delivered their verdict after less than an hour yesterday.

The New York Times

Held outdoors under steel-gray, drizzling skies, much of the two-hour ceremony had a somber tone.

The New York Times

Like "Offertorium," Ms. Gubaidulina's first violin concerto, "In Tempus Praesens" unfolds in a continuous stream just over a half-hour long, permeated with somber silences and prone to unpredictable shifts from fragility to eruptive violence without warning.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somber hour" to create a tone of solemnity or gravity, especially when describing events like memorials, funerals, or moments of national reflection.

Common error

Avoid using "somber hour" in casual or mundane situations; its impact is greatest when reserved for genuinely serious or reflective moments. The phrase may sound melodramatic if applied incorrectly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somber hour" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. The adjective "somber" describes the quality of the "hour", indicating a time of seriousness or gloom. Ludwig shows examples in news contexts where it sets a tone of gravity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somber hour" is a grammatically correct but infrequently used expression to describe a time marked by seriousness or gloom. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples primarily from news and media sources. While appropriate for setting a solemn tone, be mindful of potential melodrama and consider context-appropriate alternatives like "solemn moment" or "serious time". Using "somber hour" effectively requires careful consideration of the intended emotional impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solemn moment

Replaces "hour" with "moment", suggesting a shorter duration but retaining the sense of gravity.

serious time

Uses a more general adjective, "serious", instead of "somber", broadening the scope of the description.

melancholy period

Replaces "somber" with "melancholy", emphasizing a feeling of pensive sadness and replaces "hour" with "period" suggesting a longer duration.

reflective time

Focuses on the contemplative aspect of the hour, highlighting thoughtfulness.

grave occasion

Shifts from time to occasion, emphasizing the importance and seriousness of the event.

dismal timeframe

Replaces "somber" with "dismal", which indicates a bleak and depressing mood. "Hour" is replaced by "timeframe" suggesting a certain limited duration.

oppressive moment

Highlights the heavy and burdensome aspect of the time.

desolate period

Emphasizes the feeling of emptiness and sadness associated with the time.

austere time

Replaces "somber" with "austere", emphasizing simplicity, severity and a lack of ornamentation.

bleak instant

Uses "bleak" to describe the hopelessness of the moment

FAQs

What does "somber hour" mean?

The phrase "somber hour" refers to a time characterized by seriousness, gloom, or deep reflection, often associated with mourning, loss, or grave events.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "somber hour"?

It's appropriate to use "somber hour" when describing events or periods marked by significant gravity, such as memorial services, moments of national tragedy, or serious deliberations.

What are some alternatives to "somber hour"?

You can use alternatives like "solemn moment", "serious time", or "melancholy period" depending on the context.

Is "somber hour" a commonly used phrase?

While grammatically correct, "somber hour" is not a very common phrase. Consider whether a more direct or contemporary phrasing might be more effective for your audience.