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

• 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

Ribs go great with a classic sweet barbecue sauce, an Alabama white, or a tangy North Carolina vinegar sauce. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026

Prevent mold and mildew by using a vinegar or bleach solution (if safe for the fabric) and drying thoroughly. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 10 Apr. 2026

Noma Projects launched in 2022 as an offshoot of the world-famous restaurant, offering the fine-dining juggernaut’s small-batch hot sauces, coffees, vinegars and other products for home cooking. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Be sure the bag is large enough to fit over the showerhead and there is enough vinegar to completely submerge the head. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Apr. 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