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noun

sourdough

SOW-uh-doh

Sourdough (noun) means Bread made using a fermented dough starter instead of commercial yeast, giving it a tangy flavor. Example: “She baked a fresh loaf of sourdough for the dinner party.”

noun
1
Bread made using a fermented dough starter instead of commercial yeast, giving it a tangy flavor.
"She baked a fresh loaf of sourdough for the dinner party."
2
An experienced old-timer in Alaska or the Yukon, especially one who has lived through a full year there.
"The old sourdough had been prospecting in the Yukon since the gold rush."

How to use sourdough

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTangy fermented bread, or slang for a seasoned northern old-timer.

Common pairings
sourdough starter sourdough loaf

Word forms

sourdoughs plural, Sourdoughs plural

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She baked a fresh loaf of _____ for the dinner party.

Etymology

From sour + dough. The Alaska/Yukon sense comes from Klondike Gold Rush prospectors who carried a pouch of fermented bread starter with them at all times.

Rhymes for sourdough

See all rhymes for sourdough →

Frequently asked questions

What does “sourdough” mean?

The word “sourdough” means bread made using a fermented dough starter instead of commercial yeast, giving it a tangy flavor. In plain terms, tangy fermented bread, or slang for a seasoned northern old-timer.

How do you pronounce “sourdough”?

“Sourdough” is pronounced SOW-uh-doh (/ˈsaʊɚˌdoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “sourdough” in a sentence?

Here is “sourdough” used in a sentence: “She baked a fresh loaf of sourdough for the dinner party.”

What part of speech is “sourdough”?

“Sourdough” is a noun.

How many meanings does “sourdough” have?

“Sourdough” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: bread made using a fermented dough starter instead of commercial yeast, giving it a tangy flavor.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial