Sour: meaning, definitions and examples

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sour

[saʊər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

taste

Having a taste characteristic of that produced by acids; sharp, tart, or tangy.

Synonyms

acidic, bitter, sharp, tart.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sour	Often used to describe the taste of fermented or spoiled food, or anything that has an acidic taste, such as lemons or vinegar. It can also describe someone's personality if they are always in a bad mood. The milk has gone sour She gave me a sour look
tart	Usually refers to a sharp but pleasant taste, often with a hint of sweetness, commonly used for fruits like apples or certain desserts. The tart flavor of the cranberries was refreshing She enjoyed a slice of tart apple pie
acidic	Commonly used in scientific contexts or to describe foods and drinks that have a low pH and can cause a sharp taste due to high acidity levels. Oranges can be quite acidic Acidic soil can harm some plants
bitter	Typically describes a strong, often unpleasant taste that is the opposite of sweet. It can also describe feelings of deep resentment or harshness. The coffee was very bitter He felt bitter after losing the championship
sharp	Used to describe a sensation or taste that is intense or piercing. It can relate to both physical sensations and flavors, often overlapping with sourness or bitterness. The cheese had a sharp flavor He felt a sharp pain in his ankle

Examples of usage

The lemonade was too sour for my liking.
She made a face at the sour taste of the vinegar.
The sour grapes left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.
The milk had turned sour and was no longer drinkable.
He winced at the sourness of the unripe fruit.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

person

A person who is not pleasant or agreeable.

Synonyms

curmudgeon, grouch, grump, killjoy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sour	Indicates a lasting state of unhappiness or bitterness, often resulting from a particular event. Their relationship turned sour after the argument. The negotiations went sour when both parties couldn't agree on the terms.
grouch	Describes someone who is habitually irritable and complaining. Don't mind her morning grumblings; she's always a grouch before her coffee. The neighbor is a real grouch, always finding something to complain about.
grump	Often used to describe someone who is temporarily in a bad mood or irritable. He's a real grump after a long day at work. Stop being such a grump and enjoy the party!
curmudgeon	Refers to an old, cranky person who is often in a bad mood; sometimes used endearingly. My grandfather can be a bit of a curmudgeon, especially when his routine is disrupted. The old curmudgeon at the end of the street rarely speaks to anyone.
killjoy	Used for someone who ruins the fun or enjoyment of others, often by being overly critical or negative. Don't be a killjoy! Let everyone have fun. Her constant complaints about the music made her a killjoy at the party.

Examples of usage

She was known as a sour in the office because of her constant complaining.
Don't be such a sour and try to enjoy the party.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'sour' comes from the Old English word 'sūr', which has been used for over a thousand years.
In many languages, the word for sour often sounds similar, showing a common understanding across cultures.
Latin words like 'acidus' (sour) have influenced how we describe tastes in modern languages.

Culinary

Sour flavors are essential in many cuisines, particularly in dishes like Thai salads that balance sour, sweet, and spicy.
Fermented foods, like yogurt and sauerkraut, develop a sour taste thanks to bacteria that produce lactic acid.
Sour candies have become a popular treat, appealing to those who enjoy a taste contrast between sour and sweet.

Science

The sour taste is often identified by the presence of acids, such as citric acid found in citrus fruits.
Researchers believe that the ability to taste sour helped early humans avoid spoiled or unripe foods, which often have high acid content.
Taste buds on the tongue can detect the sour flavor through specific receptors, fine-tuning our ability to enjoy or reject certain foods.

Psychology

Sour tastes can evoke strong emotional responses, sometimes linked to memories of childhood or experiences with certain foods.
Some studies suggest that our preferences for sourness may be influenced by cultural upbringing, differing from region to region.
The perception of sour can be linked to defense mechanisms in the brain, often signaling danger or displeasure in food.

Literature

In literature, sourness can symbolize negativity or bitterness in character relationships, adding depth to narratives.
Shakespeare often used the term to describe unpleasant emotions or experiences, reflecting human nature's complexities.
Sour flavors are often personified in literature to depict conflict or tension in plots, enhancing thematic narratives.

Translations

Translations of the word "sour" in other languages:

🇵🇹 azedo

ácido
amargo

🇮🇳 खट्टा

तीखा
खट्टा स्वाद

🇩🇪 sauer

🇮🇩 asam

🇺🇦 кислий

🇵🇱 kwaśny

🇯🇵 酸っぱい (すっぱい)

🇫🇷 acide

aigre
amer

🇪🇸 agrio

ácido
amargo

🇹🇷 ekşi

asitli
acı

🇰🇷 신

🇸🇦 حامض

🇨🇿 kyselý

🇸🇰 kyslý

🇨🇳 酸的 (suān de)

🇸🇮 kisel

🇮🇸 súrt

🇰🇿 қышқыл

🇬🇪 მჟავე

🇦🇿 turş

🇲🇽 agrio

ácido
amargo

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,841 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
8838 helicopter
8839 mingled
8840 coup
8841 sour
8842 alfalfa
8843 conjecture
8844 benign
...