What does vinegary mean?
Vinegary means sour or like vinegar, especially in taste or smell. It can also characterize an expression, remark, or person as sharp, unfriendly, or ill-tempered. The literal sense is relatively straightforward: a liquid, food, or odor described as vinegary has the sharp acidity associated with vinegar. Figuratively, the word evokes the grimace that acidity commonly produces, so a vinegary response feels both sour and confrontational. The expression is chiefly associated with British English, although it is understood elsewhere and is more colorful than neutral alternatives such as sour or acidic. It is especially useful when the sour quality of something should be vivid without claiming that it is literally vinegar. Its figurative use carries a stronger personal judgment than words such as tart or acrimonious, which can describe acidity, criticism, or conflict in more technical or neutral contexts.
adjectiveResembling vinegar in taste or smell; sour. Figuratively, it describes a person, expression, or manner that is sharp, unpleasant, or ill-tempered.
- Having the sour taste or acidic smell associated with vinegar.
- Figuratively sharp, unpleasant, or sour in temperament or manner.
"Her vinegary reply ended the conversation."
"The sauce had a distinctly vinegary flavor."
"He gave me a vinegary look when I questioned the figures."
A vinegary face can turn a bad mood into a taste test: one sharp look is enough to sour the room.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vinegary come from?
Vinegary was formed in English by adding the suffix -y to vinegar, giving the liquid's sour taste or smell a figurative sense as well. Vinegar came into English through Old French vinaigre, a compound of vin, meaning wine, and egre, meaning sour; these elements ultimately derive from Latin vinum and the Latin sour root represented by acris and acer. The broader Latin vine root also connects the word with related forms such as vine, vinous, and vinaigrette.
How vinegary is actually used
The word is chiefly British but is also understood in American English. It is most often used for an unpleasant taste or smell and, figuratively, for an expression or person that seems sharp and ill-tempered. In formal prose, sour or vinegar-like may sound more neutral.
Easily confused with vinegary
Vinegar is the noun for the acidic liquid used in cooking, whereas vinegary is an adjective meaning sour or vinegar-like.