What does unsoured mean?
Unsoured is chiefly a British adjective meaning “not soured”: it describes food or drink that has not developed a sour taste and, figuratively, a person, disposition, or mood that has not become bitter or resentful. The word is especially associated with milk, cream, and other foods that can spoil by souring, although “unsoured” describes the absence of that particular change rather than necessarily the absence of every form of spoilage. In figurative use, it suggests an unembittered attitude or outcome. The expression is uncommon in everyday modern English and sounds more traditional or descriptive than the simpler alternatives “not sour,” “fresh,” or “unspoilt.” Its formation is transparent: the prefix “un-” negates “soured,” the past participle of “sour.”
adjectiveNot soured or turned sour; unspoilt. Figuratively, not embittered, resentful, or turned sour in disposition.
- Not sour or turned sour, especially of milk, cream, or another food.
- Not embittered, resentful, or turned sour in attitude or character.
"The milk remained unsoured even after being left in the warm kitchen."
"Add the unsoured cream to the sauce and simmer gently."
"Despite the criticism, he remained unsoured and continued to treat everyone with the same unfailing kindness."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unsoured come from?
Unsoured was formed in English by attaching the negative prefix un- to sour, the past participle of the verb “sour.” Sour continues Old English sūr, an inherited Germanic word associated with a sour taste; related forms appear in German sauer and Dutch zuur. The modern adjective follows the ordinary English pattern of forming a negated adjective with un-.
How unsoured is actually used
The word is relatively uncommon and sounds traditional and descriptive. In present-day English, “not soured” is often the more natural wording. The literal sense is much more frequent than the figurative sense.
Easily confused with unsoured
Unsalted means containing no added salt, whereas unsoured means that something has not developed a sour taste.