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.
What to do: Peanut butter, vinegar, or ice will all lift gum off of clothing fabrics. Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Jan. 2025 What to order: The New Jersey steak sub (cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, oil and vinegar, and Jones’ special sauce) for $7.89. Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025 Pour in just enough red wine vinegar to cover well. Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025 Adding acidic ingredients like vinegar or tomatoes may also alter the texture and taste. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 21 Jan. 2025 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 28 Jan. 2025.

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

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