vinegar

American  

[vin-i-ger] / ˈvɪn ɪ gər /

noun

1. a sour liquid consisting of dilute and impure acetic acid, obtained by acetous fermentation from wine, cider, beer, ale, or the like: used as a condiment, preservative, etc.

2. Pharmacology. a solution of a medicinal substance in dilute acetic acid, or vinegar.

3. sour or irritable speech, manner, or countenance.

   a note of vinegar in his voice.

4. Informal. vigor; high spirits; vim.

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vinegar British  

/ ˈvɪnɪɡə /

noun

1. a sour-tasting liquid consisting of impure dilute acetic acid, made by oxidation of the ethyl alcohol in beer, wine, or cider. It is used as a condiment or preservative

2. sourness or peevishness of temper, countenance, speech, etc

3. pharmacol a medicinal solution in dilute acetic acid

4. informal vitality

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verb

1. (tr) to apply vinegar to

Other Word Forms

• vinegar-like adjective
• vinegarish adjective
• vinegarlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of vinegar

1250–1300; Middle English vinegre < Old French, equivalent to vin wine + egre, aigre sour ( eager )

Example Sentences

Quick pickled cucumbers, dressed with rice vinegar, sugar and sesame oil, bring texture and acidity while a classic Mexican mix of minced onion and cilantro finishes things off.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Then, while they were still warm, I’d do something crucial: ladle over more golden olive oil, a shake of oregano, red pepper flakes, and a splash of red wine vinegar.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2026

According to Alpha News, the syringe allegedly used in the attack by the suspect, Anthony Kazmierczak, was filled with apple cider vinegar.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

These molecules naturally cluster into thread-like shapes, somewhat like the separation that occurs when oil and vinegar form layers in salad dressing.

From Science Daily • Dec. 13, 2025

“I just put some things into the pot and added the malt vinegar at the end.”

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

• marinade