sour

adjective

\ ˈsau̇(-ə)r

Definition of sour

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : being, inducing, or marked by the one of the five basic taste sensations that is produced chiefly by acids and is characteristic of lemon juice sour pickles — compare bitter entry 1 sense 1a, salty entry 1 sense 1b, sweet entry 1 sense 1, umami entry 2

2a(1) : having the acid taste or smell of or as if of fermentation : turned sour milk

(2) : of or relating to fermentation

b : smelling or tasting of decay : rancid, rotten sour breath

c(1) : bad, wrong a project gone sour

(2) : hostile, disenchanted went sour on Marxism

3a : unpleasant, distasteful

b : cross, sullen

c : 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

sour

noun

Definition of sour (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : something sour … they assimilated many Anglo-American sweet pickles and began adding more sugar to their sours.— William Woys Weaver

b : the taste sensation produced chiefly by acids — compare bitter entry 2 sense 1b, salty entry 2, sweet entry 3 sense 2, umami entry 1

2 : a cocktail consisting of a liquor (such as whiskey), lemon or lime juice, sugar, and sometimes ice

sour

verb

soured; souring; sours

Definition of sour (Entry 3 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to become sour

transitive verb

: to make sour

Other Words from sour Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about sour

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Synonyms & Antonyms for sour

Synonyms: Adjective

acid, acidic, acidulous, sourish, tart, tartish, vinegary

Synonyms: Verb

alien, alienate, disaffect, disgruntle, estrange

Antonyms: Verb

reconcile

Examples of sour in a Sentence

Adjective

The milk had turned sour. He made a sour face.

Verb

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.

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Time Traveler for sour

The first known use of sour was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for sour

sour

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of sour

(Entry 1 of 3)

: 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

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sour (Entry 2 of 3)

: an alcoholic drink that has a sour taste

sour

verb

English Language Learners Definition of sour (Entry 3 of 3)

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

See the full definition for sour in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sour

adjective

\ ˈsau̇r

sourer; sourest

Kids Definition of sour

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

sour

verb

soured; souring

Kids Definition of sour (Entry 2 of 2)

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.

sour

adjective

\ ˈsau̇(ə)r

Medical Definition of sour

(Entry 1 of 2)

: causing, characterized by, or being the one of the four basic taste sensations that is produced chiefly by acids — compare bitter, salt entry 2 sense 2, sweet entry 1