vinegar

noun

vin·​e·​gar ˈvi-ni-gər 

1

: a sour liquid obtained by fermentation of dilute alcoholic liquids and used as a condiment or preservative

2

: ill humor : sourness

3

: vim

Synonyms

• juice
• energy
• vigor
• gas
• starch
• beans
• ginger
• life
• dash

Examples of vinegar in a Sentence

glad to see his old friend was still full of vinegar after so many years

Recent Examples on the Web

Use a toothbrush or rag and the vinegar solution to remove dirt or debris. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025

The acidic apple cider or white vinegar activates the baking soda, generating carbon dioxide bubbles that help the cookies rise and end up lofty and a bit cake-like, rather than flat. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025

The buttermilk chicken is seasoned with lemon-and-pepper vinegar on the side. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025

Highlights include a shareable chef's whim butter board, baked crab dip, snow crab avocado stack, short rib mac and cheese, salt and vinegar fish and chips, bayou baby back ribs and prime grade filet mignon. —Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vinegre, from Anglo-French vin egre, from vin wine (from Latin vinum) + egre keen, sour — more at eager

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vinegar

• balsamic vinegar
• cider vinegar
• mother of vinegar
• spit and vinegar
• vinegar eel
• vinegar fly
• wine vinegar

Kids Definition

vinegar

noun

vin·​e·​gar ˈvin-i-gər 

: a sour liquid obtained from cider, wine, or malt and used to flavor or preserve foods

Etymology

Middle English vinegre "vinegar," from early French vin egre (same meaning), literally, "sour wine," from vin "wine" and egre "sharp, sour, eager"; vin from Latin vinum "wine" and egre from Latin acer "sharp, sour, spirited" — related to eager, vine, vintage

Medical Definition

vinegar

noun

vin·​e·​gar ˈvin-i-gər 

1

: a sour liquid used as a condiment or a preservative that is obtained by acetic fermentation of dilute alcoholic liquids (as fermented cider, malt beer, or wine) or of dilute distilled alcohol

2

: a pharmaceutical solution of the active principles of drugs in dilute acetic acid usually prepared by maceration

aromatic vinegar