First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1sour
adjective \ˈsau̇(-ə)r\
: 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
Full Definition of SOUR
1
2
3
a : 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·ish \ˈsau̇(-ə)r-ish\ adjective
— sour·ly adverb
— sour·ness noun
See sour defined for English-language learners
See sour defined for kids
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Origin of SOUR
Middle English, from Old English sūr; akin to Old High German sūr sour, Lithuanian sūrus salty
2sour
noun
: an alcoholic drink that has a sour taste
Full Definition of SOUR
1
a : something sour b : the primary taste sensation produced by acid stimuli
2
: a cocktail consisting of a liquor (as whiskey), lemon or lime juice, sugar, and sometimes ice
See sour defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SOUR
before 12th century
Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms
3sour
verb
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
Full Definition of SOUR
intransitive verb : to become sour
transitive verb
: to make sour
See sour defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SOUR
14th century
SOUR Defined for Kids
1sour
adjective \ˈsau̇r\
sour·ersour·est
Definition of SOUR for Kids
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·ly adverb <He looked at me sourly enough but said nothing. — Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island>
— sour·ness noun
2sour
verb
souredsour·ing
Definition of SOUR for Kids
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.>
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