What does soured mean?
Soured means that something has become sour, especially food or drink that has changed through spoilage or fermentation. It can also describe a situation, relationship, or mood that has become bitter, unpleasant, or disappointed. In those figurative uses, soured suggests that an initially positive or pleasant state has deteriorated over time. As a verb form, soured is the past tense and past participle of sour: a person can sour a mixture, or something can sour on its own. The word is common for describing spoiled dairy products and also appears in more expressive writing about damaged relationships and lost optimism. Its meaning therefore ranges from a practical description of food deterioration to a vivid image of bitterness, disillusionment, or decay.
Having become sour or having turned bitter, unpleasant, or disappointed.
"The wine soured after the bottle was left open."
Figurative uses are especially associated with relationships, attitudes, and experiences that have deteriorated.
The past tense and past participle of sour: to become or cause to become sour or bitter.
"The heat soured the sauce."
Used transitively for causing something to become sour and intransitively for food or drink that changes in this way.
A moment that has soured can refer to spoiled food, a ruined plan, or a relationship that has turned bitter.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does soured come from?
The form soured derives from the English adjective and verb sour. The modern word developed through Middle English and Old French influence, ultimately tracing to Latin roots associated with sharpness or sourness. Related English words such as acidic and acerb ic share this broader Latin etymological tradition.
How soured is actually used
In its figurative uses, soured commonly describes an emotional relationship, experience, or outlook that has become bitter or disappointed. The wording is somewhat literary or descriptive rather than everyday neutral speech.
Easily confused with soured
Soured is the past-tense and participial form of sour, while sour is the base adjective and verb from which it is formed.