What does vinegar mean?
Vinegar is a sharply acidic liquid with a distinctive sour taste, produced when alcohol is fermented by acetic-acid bacteria. It is made from wine or other alcoholic liquids and is widely used in salad dressings, sauces, pickling, food preservation, and household cleaning. White vinegar is made from distilled alcohol, while cider and wine vinegars retain characteristic flavors derived from their ingredients. In figurative language, vinegar can describe sourness, bitterness, or an unpleasant attitude. The word also has an etymological reminder within it: it comes from an Old French expression meaning “sour wine,” accurately describing the historical origin of the product. Although a basic pantry staple, vinegar is important in both culinary and nonculinary contexts, and its strength and flavor vary considerably according to how it is produced.
nounA sour-tasting liquid made from wine or another alcohol by fermentation and acetic-acid bacteria, commonly used in cooking, cleaning, and food preservation. Figuratively, it can refer to sourness or a disagreeable attitude.
- A sharply acidic, sour-tasting liquid made by the fermentation of wine or another alcoholic liquid, used as a condiment, preservative, and cleaning agent.
- Sourness, bitterness, or a disagreeable attitude, especially in figurative expressions.
"She added a dash of vinegar to the dressing."
"The salad needs vinegar, olive oil, and a little salt."
"There was no sweetness in his reply, only vinegar."
Normally used to refer to distinct varieties or types of vinegar rather than to the substance as an undifferentiated mass.
"The shop stocks several vinegars, including sherry and cider varieties."
The name vinegar literally means “sour wine,” a description of how it is traditionally made.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vinegar come from?
English vinegar comes through Middle English from Old French vin egre, meaning “sour wine.” The French elements derive from Latin vinum, “wine,” and aigre, “sour,” which is related to the same Latin vocabulary that gave English words such as acid and acidic. Wine, vine, and vintage likewise belong to the broader family associated with Latin vinum.
Related word forms
How vinegar is actually used
Vinegar is normally a mass noun when referring to the substance itself. The plural “vinegars” is used for distinct varieties or types, especially when comparing products.