# vinegar

/ˈvɪnəɡɝ/ (US) · /vˈɪnɪɡɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vinegar
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sour liquid

noun · CEFR B1

a sour-tasting liquid used to add flavour to food or to preserve vegetables.

For teachers: a dilute solution of acetic acid formed by the fermentation of ethanol, used as a condiment or preservative.

- She mixed some oil and vinegar together to make a simple dressing for the salad.
- The chef recommended using a high-quality balsamic vinegar to balance the sweetness of the roasted beetroot.

### 2. energy or spirit

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Informal

energy, strength, or a lively personality.

For teachers: vitality, vigour, or a sharp, energetic temperament.

- Even at eighty years old, the coach was still full of vinegar and ready to work.
- The young candidate was full of piss and vinegar, determined to challenge the established political order during the primary debates.

### 3. to add vinegar

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to add vinegar to food to give it a sour taste.

For teachers: to season, treat, or preserve a substance with vinegar. Transitive use.

- The recipe suggests you vinegar the vegetables before letting them sit overnight.
- The traditional method requires the processor to vinegar the herring thoroughly to ensure it remains shelf-stable without refrigeration.

## Examples

- I like to put vinegar and salt on my fries.
- The chef added a splash of balsamic vinegar to the salad dressing to balance the sweetness of the honey.
- Traditional pickling relies on the high acidity of vinegar to inhibit the growth of spoilage-inducing bacteria, effectively extending the shelf life of seasonal vegetables.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.