Word
sourdough
Phoneticssour·dough
UK/sˈaʊədəʊ/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a type of bread made using a natural mix of wild yeast and bacteria. It has a slightly tangy taste and a chewy texture.
n. a leavening agent consisting of a fermented mixture of flour and water, used to bake bread. It imparts a distinct acidic flavor and improved shelf life compared to commercial yeast.
Examples
“I love the tangy flavor of sourdough bread.”
“The baker spent months cultivating a sourdough starter to ensure the bread had a deep, complex flavor.”
“While commercial yeast provides a faster rise, sourdough requires a longer fermentation period, allowing the lactic acid bacteria to develop the bread's signature sour profile and dense crumb structure.”
Examples
simple
“I love the tangy flavor of sourdough bread.”
contextual
“The baker spent months cultivating a sourdough starter to ensure the bread had a deep, complex flavor.”
complex
“While commercial yeast provides a faster rise, sourdough requires a longer fermentation period, allowing the lactic acid bacteria to develop the bread's signature sour profile and dense crumb structure.”
Real-World Examples
“At Rye, the first US outpost of Austrian bakery Martin Auer, a 3.3lb loaf of 100% rye sourdough sells for $60 in SoHo.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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