n.
Pronunciation: ' sau ̇ (- ə )r
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English s ū r; akin to Old High German s ū r sour, Lithuanian s ū rus salty
Date: before 12th century
1 : causing or characterized by the one of the four basic taste sensations that is produced chiefly by acids < sour pickles> ― compare BITTER , SALT , SWEET
2 a (1) : having the acid taste or smell of or as if of fermentation : TURNED < sour milk> (2) : of or relating to fermentation b : smelling or tasting of decay : RANCID , ROTTEN < sour breath> c (1) : BAD , WRONG <a project gone sour > (2) : HOSTILE , DISENCHANTED <went sour on Marxism>
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 \ ' sau ̇ (- ə )r-ish \ adjective
– sour · ly adverb
– sour · ness noun