sour
/saʊə(r)/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
- 1.
Having a sharp, acid taste, like lemon or vinegar. Sour food or drink is not sweet.
- The milk smells sour.
- These grapes taste sour.
- I like sour candies.
- 2.
Bad-tempered, unfriendly, or unpleasant. A sour look or mood shows annoyance or disappointment.
- He gave me a sour smile.
- Her mood turned sour after the delay.
- They left on a sour note.
verb
If something sours, it becomes bad, bitter, or less pleasant. A relationship, plan, or mood can sour over time.
- Their friendship soured quickly.
- The weather soured our plans.
- His tone soured during the meeting.
Adinary Nuance
Sour is close to tart, acid, and bitter, but it is the most common everyday word. Use tart for a lighter, sharper taste, and acid in more technical language. For feelings, sour often suggests something has turned unpleasant over time.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chua
- Spanish
- agrio
- Chinese
- 酸的
- Japanese
- 酸っぱい
- Korean
- 신
Etymology
Sour comes from Old English sur, meaning 'acid' or 'tart'. It has been used in English since early medieval times.
Common phrases
sour tastesour milksour moodsour relationship
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is sour a positive or negative word?
- It can be either. For taste, it is neutral. For mood or relationships, it is usually negative.
- What's the difference between sour and tart?
- Sour is the general word. Tart is often used for a lighter, cleaner sharp taste, especially in food.
- Can I say a person is sour?
- Yes. It means the person seems unfriendly, annoyed, or unhappy.
- Is sour common in business English?
- Yes, in phrases like 'sour relations' or 'the deal soured'.