vinegar

noun

vin·​e·​gar ˈvi-ni-gər How to pronounce vinegar (audio)
1
: a sour liquid obtained by fermentation of dilute alcoholic liquids and used as a condiment or preservative
2
: ill humor : sourness
3
: vim

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Make salad dressing: Whisk together red wine vinegar, mustard, and garlic in a medium bowl. Renu Dhar, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2024 Grilled and marinated in coconut vinegar, lemongrass, and garlic, it is served with sides of papaya salad and garlic rice. Samantha Wood, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2024 If the soap scum has been present for a long period, mix vinegar with baking soda to form a paste and apply it to the area. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024 Often, vinegar, mild soaps, baking soda, or even hot water can be sufficient for cleaning, although these won't disinfect. Kashif J. Piracha, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vinegar 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of vinegar was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near vinegar

Cite this Entry

“Vinegar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vinegar. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

vinegar

noun
vin·​e·​gar ˈvin-i-gər How to pronounce vinegar (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce vinegar (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on vinegar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!