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
2
3
a
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
1
a
: something sour
… they assimilated many Anglo-American sweet pickles and began adding more sugar to their sours.—
William Woys Weaver
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
soured; souring; sours
: to become sour
: to make sour
Synonyms
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Annie Peterson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2025
The 2024 edition of triple j’s Hottest 100 also left a sour taste in the mouth of Australian music-lovers, with the full countdown featuring the lowest number of homegrown artists in almost three decades.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 25 Jan. 2025
Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2025
There are a number of historical sours, flips and fizzes that are shaken with egg whites to produce lightness, froth and foam.
—John Hodgman, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
Julia left the invitation open to everyone, but Florian had soured the mood for Stacey.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sour 
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Adjective
Smell it for a sour, rancid scent or off odors, which are largely attributed to the presence of butyric acid, a natural compound in butter that breaks down and becomes more prominent over time.
—Annie Peterson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2025
The 2024 edition of triple j’s Hottest 100 also left a sour taste in the mouth of Australian music-lovers, with the full countdown featuring the lowest number of homegrown artists in almost three decades.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
And about those cocktails: Classic drinks with broad appeal fill the menu, with Amaretto sours, appletinis, Long Island iced teas and pina coladas making an appearance.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2025
There are a number of historical sours, flips and fizzes that are shaken with egg whites to produce lightness, froth and foam.
—John Hodgman, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
The priority is to cut losses and trade the man who has soured the Heat locker room and this season.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
Julia left the invitation open to everyone, but Florian had soured the mood for Stacey.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sour
Dictionary Entries Near sour
Cite this Entry
“Sour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sour. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sour
1 of 3 adjective1
: having or being an acid or tart taste that is one of the four taste sensations compare bitter sense 1, salt entry 3 sense 1b, sweet entry 1 sense 1b
2
a
: having become acid through spoiling
sour milk
b
: indicating decay : putrid
a sour odor
3
: unpleasant, disagreeable
a sour look
played a sour note
4
: acid in reaction
sour soil
sourly
adverb
sourness
noun
sour
2 of 3 noun1
a
: something sour
b
: the basic taste sensation produced by acid stimuli
2
: a cocktail made with liquor, lemon or lime juice, sugar, and sometimes soda water
sour
3 of 3 verb
: to become or make sour
Medical Definition
sour
1 of 2 adjective
: 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
sourness
noun
sour
2 of 2 noun
: the primary taste sensation produced by acid stimuli
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