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

Add white vinegar to the rinse cycle. —Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 5 Jan. 2026

Spaeter advises cleaning your dishwasher at least once a month by pouring two cups of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container, placing it upright on the lower rack, and running a normal cycle with the heat dry setting turned off. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026

Believe it or not, vinegar acts as a natural bleaching agent that can greatly help restore the vibrancy to your favorite white clothes. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026

In a glass measure, whisk together the vinegar, ⅓ cup olive oil, garlic, soy sauce and rosemary. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 24 Dec. 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