What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sourness
Example
The lemonade had a strong sourness to it. [sourness: noun]
Example
She made a sour face after tasting the spoiled milk. [sour: adjective]
tartness
Example
The apple had a pleasant tartness to it. [tartness: noun]
Example
The chef added some vinegar to give the sauce a tartness. [tart: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sourness is more commonly used than tartness in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts. However, tartness is more commonly used to describe food and drink, especially in culinary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sourness and tartness?
Both sourness and tartness are relatively neutral in terms of formality, and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
