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 of vinegar

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

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

However, there are some reasons someone might choose to use vinegar for cleaning. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2026

Turntables are great for oils and vinegars, sauces, condiments, broths, and spices. — Gabriela Ulloa, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026

Other home cooks swear by vinegar, lemon juice, commercial produce washes or soap or detergent. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026

Meanwhile, cook ¼ cup sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar, 2 Tbsp. — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026

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