/ ˈsaʊə(r); NAmE / adjective , verb
■ adjective
1.
having a taste like that of a lemon or of fruit that is not ready to eat :
sour apples
a sour flavour
OPP sweet
—see also sweet-and-sour ➡ note at bitter
2.
( especially of milk ) having an unpleasant taste or smell because it is not fresh :
to turn / go sour
➡ note at bitter
3.
( of people ) not cheerful; bad-tempered and unpleasant :
a sour and disillusioned woman
a sour face
The meeting ended on a sour note with several people walking out.
► sour·ly adverb :
'Who asked you?' he said sourly.
► sour·ness noun [ U ]
•
IDIOMS
- go / turn sour
- sour grapes
■ verb
1.
( of relationships, attitudes, people, etc. ) to change so that they become less pleasant or friendly than before; to make sth do this :
[ v ]
The atmosphere at the house soured.
[ vn ]
The disagreement over trade tariffs has soured relations between the two countries.
2.
[ v , vn ] if milk sours or if sth sours it, it becomes sour and has an unpleasant taste or smell
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English sūr , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zuur and German sauer .