All 3 Uses

sober
in
The Hunt for Red October
(Auto-generated)

Their reactions to his words were just what he expected them to be—sober.†
Chpt 3. *
The surgeon on call had arrived at the hospital late, and drunk, and allowed himself too much time breathing pure oxygen to sober up before starting the simple procedure of removing an inflamed appendix.†
Chpt 3. *
The president nodded soberly, motioning the ambassador to a chair.†
Chpt 8. *

Definitions:

(1) (sober as in: Talk to me when your sober.)
not under the influence of alcohol
(2) (sober up as in: I need to sober up.)
to become less drunk or intoxicated
(3) (sobering as in: a sobering thought)
serious or calm (not silly or excited); or making one serious or less excited
(4) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
More rarely, sober can refer to one who is rational rather than under the influence of extreme emotion. Also more rarely, it can reference that which is practical rather than fanciful -- such as "a more sober plan."