sour
SOW-uh
Sour (adjective) means having a sharp, acidic taste, like lemon or vinegar. Example: “These green apples are far too sour to eat raw.”
adjective
1
Having a sharp, acidic taste, like lemon or vinegar.
"These green apples are far too sour to eat raw."
"A sour sweet made her screw up her face."
"The lemonade was too sour for the kids to enjoy."
2
Spoiled or gone bad from fermenting.
"The cream smelled sour, so we threw it away."
"Leave wine open too long and it turns sour."
"The milk had gone sour after sitting out all day."
3
Unpleasant, bad-tempered, or unfriendly.
"She gave me a sour reply and walked off."
"He gave a sour look when his suggestion was rejected."
"Relations between the two neighbors turned sour after the fence dispute."
noun
1
A cocktail made with a spirit, citrus juice, and sugar.
"The bartender shook a lemon sour with ice and poured it into a short glass."
"Would you like a sour, or do you prefer something sweeter on the menu?"
"He ordered a whiskey sour at the bar."
How to use sour
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sharp, acidic taste — or, figuratively, a bad mood or a relationship that has curdled.
Common mistake
"Sour grapes" means pretending not to want something you can't have, not literally sour fruit.
Common pairings
sour taste
go sour
sour mood
whiskey sour
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Word forms
- Plural
- sours
- Third person singular
- sours
- Past tense
- soured
- Comparative
- sourer
- Superlative
- sourest
- Archaic forms
- sourest, souredst, soureth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
These green apples are far too _____ to eat raw.
Etymology
From Old English sur, from Proto-Germanic *suraz — the same ancient root that gives German sauer and Dutch zuur.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sour
See all rhymes for sour →Frequently asked questions
What does “sour” mean?
The word “sour” means having a sharp, acidic taste, like lemon or vinegar. In plain terms, a sharp, acidic taste — or, figuratively, a bad mood or a relationship that has curdled.
How do you pronounce “sour”?
“Sour” is pronounced SOW-uh (/ˈsaʊ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sour” in a sentence?
Here is “sour” used in a sentence: “The lemonade was too sour for the kids to enjoy.”
What is another word for “sour”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sour” include acetose, acetous, acid, acidulent and tart.
What is the opposite of “sour”?
The opposite of “sour” — its antonyms — is sweet.
What part of speech is “sour”?
Depending on how it is used, “sour” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “sour” come from?
The word “sour” comes from Old English. From Old English sur, from Proto-Germanic *suraz — the same ancient root that gives German sauer and Dutch zuur.
Is “sour” a common word?
“Sour” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between sour and bitter?
Sour describes a sharp, acidic taste, like lemon or vinegar. Bitter is a different basic taste, sharp and often harsh, like black coffee or dark chocolate, so the two are distinct even though both can be called strong.
What is the difference between sour and tart?
Both describe acidic flavours, but tart usually suggests a pleasantly sharp taste, as in tart apples or berries. Sour is broader and can be pleasant or unpleasant, and it can also mean spoiled, as with sour milk.
