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 notesIn plain EnglishTangy fermented bread, or slang for a seasoned northern old-timer.
Common pairings
sourdough starter
sourdough loaf
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like sourdough.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- sourdoughs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
