a slightly sour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly sour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a taste, smell, or mood that has a mild acidity or bitterness. Example: "The dish had a slightly sour flavor that complemented the sweetness of the fruit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Taste/Smell Description

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

He offers a slightly sour, dismissive shrug.

The Guardian - Music

But the evening leaves a slightly sour aftertaste.

The New Yorker

My only complaint is that it had a slightly sour smell, but it wasn't that strong.

The New York Times

Suddenly, there was a slightly sour fizzing on my tongue, and we were ready to begin.

The New Yorker

Fresh purslane (also called verdolaga, among other names), a slightly sour green succulent plant, is also traditional.

The New York Times - Food

Vadim may have stopped either showering or doing his laundry, because there was a slightly sour smell wafting from him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The leader of the clan whose logo is a lightning bolt (reminiscent of Nike's) is a slightly soured Harrison Ford-like superhero known as the Strobe (Thomas Haden Church).

The New York Times

The gifted McCaughrean has this time given us a muddled, slightly sour narrative, told primarily from an adult perspective.

The New York Times - Books

For dessert, there are doughnuts that supposedly contain poi, a starchy, slightly sour paste made from taro root ($8).

The New York Times - Food

Sambhar (South Indian lentil broth) Serves 4 This broth makes a hot, slightly sour accompaniment to the otherwise dry and slightly bland dosa-based breakfast dishes.

Independent

It had a sharp, slightly sour smell that was every bit as enticing as any proper beer has been to me since.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slightly sour" to express mild negativity or disappointment in situations or emotions, such as "the meeting ended on a slightly sour note", offering a subtle critique without being overly harsh.

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly sour" repeatedly to describe moods or situations as it can become cliché. Instead, opt for more specific and vivid adjectives like 'disappointing', 'underwhelming', or 'bittersweet' to convey the intended emotion or situation more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly sour" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun with a mild sour quality. Ludwig AI identifies this usage across various contexts, from describing food to emotional states, consistently indicating a subtle level of acidity or unpleasantness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Food

24%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Arts

4%

Travel

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly sour" is a versatile adjectival modifier that describes a noun with a mild sour quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose spans describing flavors and smells to conveying mild negativity. While grammatically correct and commonly used, overuse in figurative contexts should be avoided. Ranging from news articles to food descriptions, its neutral register offers nuanced expression, making it a useful addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a barely sour

Replaces 'slightly' with 'barely', intensifying the mildness of the sourness.

a mildly acidic

Replaces 'sour' with 'acidic' and 'slightly' with 'mildly', focusing on the chemical characteristic.

a somewhat tart

Substitutes 'sour' with 'tart' and 'slightly' with 'somewhat', emphasizing a sharp taste.

an almost sour

Indicates the flavor is approaching sourness, but not quite there.

a faintly bitter

Changes 'sour' to 'bitter' and 'slightly' to 'faintly', shifting the taste profile to bitterness.

a hint of sour

Replaces "slightly" with "hint", to emphasize the subtlety.

a touch of acidity

Replaces the adjective phrase with a noun phrase indicating a small amount of acid.

a subtle tang

Uses 'tang' instead of 'sour' to imply a more pleasant, zesty quality and replaces "slightly" with "subtle".

a delicate sourness

Shifts from an adjectival description to a noun phrase, highlighting the refined nature of the sour taste.

a whisper of tartness

Emphasizes the delicacy of the sour taste, using 'whisper' to indicate a very small amount and replacing 'sour' with 'tartness'.

FAQs

How can I use "a slightly sour" in a sentence?

You can use "a slightly sour" to describe flavors, smells, or even moods. For example, "The yogurt had a slightly sour taste", or "The deal left a slightly sour aftertaste".

What are some alternatives to "a slightly sour"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a mildly acidic", "a somewhat tart", or "a subtle tang".

Is it correct to say "a slightly sour taste" or should I say "a slightly sour flavor"?

Both "a slightly sour taste" and "a slightly sour flavor" are correct. "Taste" refers to the sensation in your mouth, while "flavor" encompasses both taste and smell. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a slightly sour" and "a bit sour"?

"A slightly sour" implies a more delicate or refined sourness compared to "a bit sour", which is a more general and direct expression. The choice depends on the desired level of nuance.