Pronunciation: [sˈɒbɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word sobbing is spelled using the letter combination "bb". This indicates that the second "b" is pronounced with a voiced sound, as in the word "bubble". The IPA phonetic transcription for sobbing is /ˈsɑːbɪŋ/, where the double "b" is represented by the symbol for voiced bilabial plosive (/b/). The word sobbing refers to the act of crying noisily or in a way that produces loud or audible sobs.
Sobbing is an emotional expression and involuntary act of intense crying characterized by deep, convulsive breaths, audible and irregular sounds, and the shedding of tears. It is commonly associated with grief, sadness, or overwhelming emotional distress. When someone is sobbing, they typically display uncontrollable bodily reactions, such as trembling, gasping for air, and heaving of the chest.
This term often denotes a heightened state of emotional vulnerability and indicates an individual's inability to control or suppress their feelings. Sobbing is known to release emotional tension and is seen as a natural response to various forms of trauma, loss, or deeply distressing circumstances.
The act of sobbing can differ in intensity and duration depending on the individual and the underlying cause of their emotional anguish. While sobbing is commonly associated with negative emotions, it can also be experienced during moments of extreme happiness or relief as a cathartic response.
Sobbing is a recognized method of emotional release, allowing individuals to process and express their feelings, promoting a sense of relief and catharsis. It can often serve as an outlet for emotional pain or serve as a cry for help and comfort from others.
In summary, sobbing is an intense and uncontrollable display of crying accompanied by audible sounds, irregular breaths, and tears, typically resulting from deep sadness, grief, or emotional distress.
The act of sighing with convulsive heavings of the breast; lamentation.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word sobbing originated from Middle English sobben, which can be traced back to the Old English word sobbian or sopian. The exact roots beyond Old English are uncertain, and it is possible that the term has Germanic or Scandinavian origins. The word sob itself has been used since the 14th century to describe a convulsive catch of breath while crying, and sobbing later evolved as the present participle form of sob.
