Sour vs. Acid — What's the Difference?

Having an acidic taste.

Harsh or biting in taste.

Feeling or expressing resentment.

An acid is a molecule or ion capable of either donating a proton (i.e., hydrogen ion, H+), known as a Brønsted–Lowry acid, or, capable of forming a covalent bond with an electron pair, known as a Lewis acid.The first category of acids are the proton donors, or Brønsted–Lowry acids. In the special case of aqueous solutions, proton donors form the hydronium ion H3O+ and are known as Arrhenius acids.

Spoiled or rotten.

A substance with particular chemical properties including turning litmus red, neutralizing alkalis, and dissolving some metals; typically, a corrosive or sour-tasting liquid of this kind.

Having a taste characteristic of that produced by acids; sharp, tart, or tangy.

A molecule or other species which can donate a proton or accept an electron pair in reactions.

Made acid or rancid by fermentation.

The drug LSD

Having the characteristics of fermentation or rancidity; tasting or smelling of decay.

Containing acid or having the properties of an acid; having a pH of less than 7.

Bad-tempered and morose; peevish

Sharp-tasting or sour

Displeased with something one formerly admired or liked; disenchanted

(of rock, especially lava) containing a relatively high proportion of silica

Not measuring up to the expected or usual ability or quality; bad

Any of a class of substances whose aqueous solutions are characterized by a sour taste, the ability to turn blue litmus red, and the ability to react with bases and certain metals to form salts.

Not having the correct or properly produced pitch

A substance that yields hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.

Of or relating to excessively acid soil that is damaging to crops.

A substance that can act as a proton donor.

Containing excessive levels of sulfur compounds, carbon dioxide, or both. Used of oil and natural gas.

A substance that can accept a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond.

Containing excessive levels of peroxides. Used of gasoline.

A substance having a sour taste.

The sensation of sour taste, one of the four primary tastes.

The quality of being sarcastic, bitter, or scornful

Something sour.

(Slang) See LSD1.

A mixed drink made especially with whiskey, lemon or lime juice, sugar, and sometimes soda water.

Of, relating to, or containing an acid.

To make or become sour.

Having a high concentration of acid.

To make or become disagreeable, disillusioned, or disenchanted.

Having the characteristics of an acid.

Having an acidic, sharp or tangy taste.

Having a pH of less than 7.

Made rancid by fermentation, etc.

Having a relatively high concentration of hydrogen ions.

Tasting or smelling rancid.

(Geology) Containing a large proportion of silica

Peevish or bad-tempered.

Having a sour taste.

Excessively acidic and thus infertile.

Biting, sarcastic, or scornful

Containing excess sulfur.

Sour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the taste of vinegar.

Unfortunate or unfavorable.

(figuratively) Sour-tempered.

(music) Off-pitch, out of tune.

Of or pertaining to an acid; acidic.

The sensation of a sour taste.

(music) Denoting a musical genre that is a distortion (as if hallucinogenic) of an existing genre, as in acid house, acid jazz, acid rock.

A drink made with whiskey, lemon or lime juice and sugar.

A sour substance.

(by extension) Any cocktail containing lemon or lime juice.

(chemistry)

A sour or acid substance; whatever produces a painful effect.

Any compound which yields H+ ions (protons) when dissolved in water; an Arrhenius acid.

The acidic solution used in souring fabric.

Any compound that easily donates protons to a base; a Brønsted acid.

(transitive) To make sour.

Any compound that can accept a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond; a Lewis acid.

(intransitive) To become sour.

Any corrosive substance.

(transitive) To spoil or mar; to make disenchanted.

LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide.

(intransitive) To become disenchanted.

Sour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the taste of vinegar: as, acid fruits or liquors. Also fig.: Sour-tempered.

(transitive) To make (soil) cold and unproductive.

Of or pertaining to an acid; as, acid reaction.

To macerate (lime) and render it fit for plaster or mortar.

A sour substance.

(transitive) To process (fabric) after bleaching, using hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid to wash out the lime.

One of a class of compounds, generally but not always distinguished by their sour taste, solubility in water, and reddening of vegetable blue or violet colors. They are also characterized by the power of destroying the distinctive properties of alkalies or bases, combining with them to form salts, at the same time losing their own peculiar properties. They all contain hydrogen, united with a more negative element or radical, either alone, or more generally with oxygen, and take their names from this negative element or radical. Those which contain no oxygen are sometimes called hydracids in distinction from the others which are called oxygen acids or oxacids.

Having an acid or sharp, biting taste, like vinegar, and the juices of most unripe fruits; acid; tart.

Any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt

Changed, as by keeping, so as to be acid, rancid, or musty, turned.

Street name for lysergic acid diethylamide

Disagreeable; unpleasant; hence; cross; crabbed; peevish; morose; as, a man of a sour temper; a sour reply.

Harsh or corrosive in tone;

Afflictive; painful.

Containing acid;

Cold and unproductive; as, sour land; a sour marsh.

A substance with a pH less than 7.

A sour or acid substance; whatever produces a painful effect.

A compound that donates protons or accepts electrons.

To cause to become sour; to cause to turn from sweet to sour; as, exposure to the air sours many substances.

Capable of neutralizing alkalis.

To make cold and unproductive, as soil.

To make unhappy, uneasy, or less agreeable.

To cause or permit to become harsh or unkindly.

To macerate, and render fit for plaster or mortar; as, to sour lime for business purposes.

To become sour; to turn from sweet to sour; as, milk soon sours in hot weather; a kind temper sometimes sours in adversity.

A cocktail made of a liquor (especially whiskey or gin) mixed with lemon or lime juice and sugar

The taste experience when vinegar or lemon juice is taken into the mouth

The property of being acidic

Go sour or spoil;

Make sour or more sour

Smelling of fermentation or staleness

Having a sharp biting taste

One of the four basic taste sensations; like the taste of vinegar or lemons

In an unpalatable state;

Inaccurate in pitch;

Showing a brooding ill humor;

Not pleasant or agreeable.

Producing the taste sensation of acidity.

Yes, sourness in foods is due to acidic compounds.

Vinegar has a sour taste because it is an acidic solution.

Sourness isn't measured precisely but can be related to the concentration of acidic substances.

Some acids are corrosive and can be harmful to skin or tissues.

No, acids can be in various states, including solid, liquid, or gas.

Citric acid is common in citrus fruits and contributes to their sour taste.

Generally, yes, the sour taste indicates the presence of higher acidity in the fruit.

Yes, acids can change the colors of pH indicators.

Cleaning products may contain acids but are not intended for taste and so are not described as sour.

Acids in food and drink create the sour taste sensation.

Not all acids have a sour taste; some are too weak or used in non-tasting contexts.

Sourness is a taste perception related to the presence of acids.

Cooking can reduce perceived sourness but does not always change the actual acidity of the food.

Sour foods can stimulate digestion but excessive sourness may cause dental erosion.

Acids can alter textures, balance flavors, and preserve foods.