Definition of sour
1 : causing or characterized by the one of the four basic taste sensations that is produced chiefly by acids sour pickles — compare bitter, salt, sweet
2a (1) : having the acid taste or smell of or as if of fermentation : turned sour milk (2) : of or relating to fermentationb : smelling or tasting of decay : rancid, rotten sour breathc (1) : bad, wrong a project gone sour (2) : hostile, disenchanted went sour on Marxism
3a : unpleasant, distastefulb : cross, sullenc : not up to the usual, expected, or standard quality or pitch
4 : acid in reaction —used especially of soil
5 : containing malodorous sulfur compounds —used especially of petroleum products
sourly
adverbsourness
nounFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of sour in a Sentence
The milk had turned sour.
He made a sour face.
Origin and Etymology of sour
Middle English, from Old English sūr; akin to Old High German sūr sour, Lithuanian sūrus salty
sour
Definition of sour
1a : something sourb : the primary taste sensation produced by acid stimuli
2 : a cocktail consisting of a liquor (such as whiskey), lemon or lime juice, sugar, and sometimes ice
First Known Use of sour
before 12th century
sour
Definition of sour
intransitive verb
: to become sour
transitive verb
: to make sour
Examples of sour in a Sentence
Her disposition has soured in recent years.
Jealousy has soured their relationship.
His experiences have soured him.
The team's victory was soured by an injury to one of their best players.
First Known Use of sour
14th century
SOUR Defined for English Language Learners
sour
playDefinition of sour for English Language Learners
-
: having an acid taste that is like the taste of a lemon
-
: having the unpleasant taste or smell of food that is no longer fresh
-
: unpleasant or unfriendly
sour
Definition of sour for English Language Learners
-
: an alcoholic drink that has a sour taste
sour
Definition of sour for English Language Learners
-
of food : to lose freshness and get an unpleasant taste or smell : to become sour
-
: to become unpleasant or unfriendly
-
: to make (someone or something) unpleasant or unfriendly
SOUR Defined for Kids
Definition of sour for Students
sourer
;sourest
1 : having an acid or tart taste a sour fruit
2 : having spoiled : not fresh sour milk
3 : suggesting decay a sour smell
4 : not pleasant or friendly a sour look
sourly
adverb He looked at me sourly enough but said nothing. — Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Islandsourness
nounDefinition of sour for Students
soured
;souring
1 : to make or become acid or tart in taste (as by spoiling) The milk soured.
2 : to lose or cause to lose interest or enthusiasm He soured on trying new stunts following the mishap.
3 : to harm or damage The misunderstanding soured their friendship.
Medical Dictionary
sour
Medical Definition of sour
: the primary taste sensation produced by acid stimuli
Learn More about sour
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sour Spanish Central: Translation of sour Nglish: Translation of sour for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sour for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up sour? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!