sourly

Sourly is an English adverb formed from the adjective sour. It describes actions, speech, or expressions that are performed in a sour, unfriendly, or acerbic manner, or to convey a mood that resembles sourness. The word can also describe a sour or disagreeable atmosphere, though this sense is less common in modern prose.

Etymology: sourly derives from the adjective sour, which traces back to Old English sūr and Proto-Germanic roots. The adverbial suffix -ly has been used in English since Middle English to form manner adverbs.

Usage: In contemporary English, sourly most often appears in written narration or dialogue to convey tone. Examples: "He spoke sourly to the clerk," "She answered sourly." In everyday speech, speakers tend to use synonyms such as "sour," "snide," "grumpy," or "in a sour mood." The use of sourly to describe behavior is more typical of literary, historical, or affective registers than of casual conversation.

Taste and sensory use is rare today; if describing flavor, writers usually choose "sour" or "tart" rather than "sourly." Some older or regional texts may use sourly with flavors, but it is not standard. The pronunciation is /ˈsaʊr.li/ with the first syllable stressed.