What does sourpuss mean?
A sourpuss is someone who is consistently grumpy, unfriendly, or reluctant to participate in something enjoyable. The word is informal and generally playful, but it can carry a mildly disparaging edge, especially when used to describe a person's behavior in social or group settings. It is commonly used to suggest that someone brings a dour or negative mood to an occasion: “Don't be a sourpuss.” Although the expression can sound severe, it is often less insulting than terms such as curmudgeon because it may describe a temporary attitude as much as a settled personality. In everyday use, sourpuss refers to a person who spoils the mood or refuses to join in, whether through obvious irritability or quiet disapproval.
nounA sourpuss is an informal, mildly disparaging term for a person who is habitually grumpy, unfriendly, or disinclined to enjoy themselves.
- A person who is grumpy, unfriendly, or unwilling to join in activities or enjoy themselves.
"He did not want to be a sourpuss at the party, so he smiled and joined the conversation."
"Nobody wanted to invite the neighborhood sourpuss to the dinner party."
"Although he came across as a sourpuss at first, he soon proved to be an excellent host."
The regular plural adds -es to the final s.
"The two sourpusses sat in silence at the back of the room."
Sourpuss turns a sour mood into a character: the person who seems determined to bring down the temperature of every room.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sourpuss come from?
Sourpuss is a 20th-century English compound formed from sour, meaning sharp-tempered or unpleasant, and puss, meaning a face or unpleasant expression. The combination turns an attitude into a humorous label for a person who appears sour-faced or ill-tempered. Its modern sense developed in informal English and remains a playful, somewhat disparaging term.
Related word forms
How sourpuss is actually used
Informal and mildly negative; it is often humorous rather than severely insulting, but it can still offend the person described.