# sourdough

/sˈaʊədəʊ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sourdough
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a type of bread made using a natural mix of wild yeast and bacteria. It has a slightly tangy taste and a chewy texture.

For teachers: 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.

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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.