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

The beans, which originally had been intended as a side dish, were now a beautiful, beige soup topped with a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of vinegar. — Margy Rochlin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Sumac is my go-to for adding acidity to dishes without using liquid ingredients like vinegar or fresh lemon juice. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2026

Toss and stir until the shallot starts to look wet, then pour in just enough vinegar to coat generously. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

My sauce has a nice vinegar tang, a little bit of sweet, and a little bit of smoky flavor, followed by a really nice peppery finish. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 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