How Do You Spell SOUR?

Pronunciation: [sˈa͡ʊ͡ə] (IPA)

The word "sour" is spelled S-O-U-R in English. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word would be written as /saʊər/. The "s" is pronounced as the voiceless alveolar sibilant /s/, the "ou" is pronounced as the diphthong /aʊ/ as in the word "out", and the "r" is pronounced as the post-alveolar approximant /r/. The word "sour" refers to a taste that is acidic, tart, or bitter.

SOUR Meaning and Definition

  1. Sour is an adjective that can describe a taste or flavor, typically characterized by a sharp, acidic or tart sensation on the tongue. It refers to the quality present in many citrus fruits like lemons and oranges, as well as some unripe fruits or fermented products. The taste of sour is often accompanied by a puckering sensation and can provoke a reaction of pulling the mouth and lips inward.

    In a broader sense, sour can describe a flavor that is not pleasant, as if the food or drink has spoiled or become rancid. This definition extends beyond the literal taste and can be used metaphorically to describe an unpleasant or negative personality, behavior, or experience. For example, a sour mood refers to someone who is grumpy, easily irritated, or generally negative.

    The term sour can also be used to refer to the smell of something gone bad or rotten, as well as to describe an unpleasant odor in general. Additionally, sour can describe the sound of a harsh, dissonant, or unpleasant note or musical tone.

    Overall, sour is an adjective that primarily indicates a taste that is acidic or tart, but it can also be used more broadly to describe unpleasant flavors, smells, personalities, and sounds.

  2. • Acid; having a pungent taste; harsh of temper or disposition; morose; turned, as milk.
    • To make or become acid; to cause to have a sharp taste; to acquire the quality of tartness; to make harsh in temper; to become crabbed or peevish.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SOUR *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SOUR

Etymology of SOUR

The word "sour" can be traced back to the Old English word "sūr", which later transformed into the Middle English word "sour". It is believed to have originated from the Proto-Germanic word "*sūraz", meaning "sour" or "tart". This Proto-Germanic word has connections to the Old High German word "suor", the Old Norse word "sūrr", and the Dutch word "zuur". Ultimately, the etymology of "sour" can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*sūs-", which means "sour" or "salt".

Idioms with the word SOUR

  • go/turn sour The idiom "go/turn sour" means that something or a situation that was once positive, pleasant, or enjoyable has become unpleasant, problematic, or unfavorable. It refers to the deterioration or loss of quality, integrity, or value in a particular circumstance or relationship.
  • sweet and sour The idiom "sweet and sour" typically refers to a combination of flavors that are simultaneously sweet and tangy, or a situation that has both positive and negative aspects.
  • sour grapes The idiom "sour grapes" refers to the act of disparaging or belittling something that one desires but cannot have, often because of envy or jealousy. It is based on Aesop's fable "The Fox and the Grapes," where a fox, unable to reach the grapes hanging high on a vine, dismisses them as sour to comfort himself for being unable to obtain them. Thus, "sour grapes" is used to describe someone who downplays or devalues something they cannot attain.
  • go sour The idiom "go sour" means that a situation or relationship has turned unpleasant, unpleasant, or unsuccessful. It refers to a situation or arrangement that was once favorable, but has now become bad or problematic.
  • strike a sour note The idiom "strike a sour note" means to say or do something that creates an unpleasant or discordant effect, causing a disruption or negative reaction in a situation or among people.
  • leave a sour taste in (one's) mouth The idiom "leave a sour taste in (one's) mouth" means to cause a feeling of disappointment, displeasure, or bitterness after a particular experience or encounter. It suggests that something has left a negative impression or has made one feel unhappy or unsatisfied.
  • hit a sour note The idiom "hit a sour note" means to make an inappropriate, uncomfortable, or unpleasant remark or action that spoils the mood or the overall harmony of a situation or conversation. It refers to saying or doing something that is out of place or causes a negative reaction.
  • sour cherry

Similar spelling words for SOUR

Plural form of SOUR is SOURS

Conjugate verb Sour

CONDITIONAL

I would sour
you would sour
he/she/it would sour
we would sour
they would sour

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be souring
you would be souring
he/she/it would be souring
we would be souring
they would be souring

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have sour
you would have sour
he/she/it would have sour
we would have sour
they would have sour

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been souring
you would have been souring
he/she/it would have been souring
we would have been souring
they would have been souring

FUTURE

I will sour
you will sour
he/she/it will sour
we will sour
they will sour

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be souring
you will be souring
he/she/it will be souring
we will be souring
they will be souring

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have soured
you will have soured
he/she/it will have soured
we will have soured
they will have soured

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been souring
you will have been souring
he/she/it will have been souring
we will have been souring
they will have been souring

IMPERATIVE

you sour
we let´s sour

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to sour

PAST

I soured
you soured
he/she/it soured
we soured
they soured

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was souring
you were souring
he/she/it was souring
we were souring
they were souring

PAST PARTICIPLE

soured

PAST PERFECT

I had soured
you had soured
he/she/it had soured
we had soured
they had soured

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been souring
you had been souring
he/she/it had been souring
we had been souring
they had been souring

PRESENT

I sour
you sour
he/she/it sours
we sour
they sour

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am souring
you are souring
he/she/it is souring
we are souring
they are souring

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

souring

PRESENT PERFECT

I have soured
you have soured
he/she/it has soured
we have soured
they have soured

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been souring
you have been souring
he/she/it has been souring
we have been souring
they have been souring
I would have soured
we would have soured
you would have soured
he/she/it would have soured
they would have soured

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