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

The best things to clean linoleum with are generally dish soap, water and vinegar, or a steam cleaner. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025

Winslett likens the strategy to destinations like Scotland (scotch), Modena, Italy (vinegar) and Champagne, France (champagne). —Katherine Laidlaw, HubSpot, 5 Sep. 2025

Canola oil, vinegar and spices including black pepper are among other GRAS additives, per the FDA. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

In addition to the myriad of options on the standard menu, guests in the know will sometimes order dishes like kimchi pork belly, which is stir-fried and topped with fresh green onions; or pork gyoza, crispy dumplings served with tangy soy, vinegar, and chili garlic dipping sauce. —Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 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