# sour

/ˈsaʊɝ/ (US) · /sˈaʊə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sour
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. taste

adjective · CEFR A2

having a sharp, acidic taste like a lemon or vinegar.

For teachers: having an acid, tart, or tangy taste characteristic of citrus fruits or vinegar.

- The green apples were very sour, so I added some sugar to the pie.
- The chef balanced the rich, fatty duck breast with a sour cherry reduction to cut through the oiliness of the meat.

### 2. spoiled food

adjective · CEFR B1

food that has gone bad and smells or tastes sharp and unpleasant.

For teachers: having turned rancid or fermented due to spoilage, typically resulting in an acidic odour or flavour.

- I had to throw out the milk because it had gone sour in the heat.
- The distinct smell of sour cream indicated that the dairy products had been left out of the refrigerator for far too long.

### 3. unfriendly mood

adjective · CEFR B2

unfriendly, unhappy, or annoyed.

For teachers: morose, peevish, or ill-tempered in disposition.

- He had a sour look on his face after he lost the game.
- The negotiations ended on a sour note, with both parties refusing to make further concessions or schedule a follow-up meeting.

### 5. to become unpleasant

verb · CEFR B2

to stop being friendly or successful.

For teachers: to become unpleasant, disenchanted, or hostile; to spoil a relationship or situation.

- Their friendship began to sour after they started working together.
- The relationship between the two countries soured rapidly following the dispute over maritime borders and fishing rights.

### 6. a cocktail

noun · CEFR B2

a type of alcoholic drink made with lemon or lime juice.

For teachers: a category of mixed drink consisting of a base spirit, lemon or lime juice, and a sweetener.

- He ordered a whiskey sour at the bar while waiting for his friends.
- A classic pisco sour requires egg whites to create the signature frothy texture that balances the sharp citrus profile.

## Examples

- The milk smells sour because it is old.
- She added a little sugar to the dressing because the lemon juice was too sour for her guests.
- The fermentation process gives the sourdough bread its characteristic tangy flavor, which contrasts sharply with the mildness of the butter.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.