Standard Lemma guide

vinegary

adj · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Sour; like vinegar.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • When Martha reopened the bottle of wine from the previous week's party, a vinegary whiff indicated that drinking it was out of the question.
  • Cherry Jones as Nan Pierce (2023), 42:42 from the start, in Succession, season 4, episode 1: “I like my wine thin and vinegary.”

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Acerbic, bitter, irritable.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • Edward's maiden aunt was a vinegary old soul with a sharp tongue and quick temper; she would not be receiving a wedding invitation.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Of a liquid, having turned partially or fully to vinegar.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adjective satellite

Meaning 4

having a sour disposition; ill-tempered

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: vinegarish

Antonyms: none provided

5

adjective satellite

Meaning 5

tasting or smelling like vinegar

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: acetose, acetous, vinegarish

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Old French vinaigrebor. Middle English vynegre English vinegar English -y English vinegary From vinegar + -y.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: azijnachtig — sour like vinegar
  • Finnish: etikkainen — sour like vinegar
  • Japanese: 酸い (sui) — sour like vinegar
  • Manx: feeyn-gheayragh — sour like vinegar
  • Finnish: hapan — figurative: acerbic, bitter
  • Finnish: kitkerä — figurative: acerbic, bitter
  • Finnish: etikoitunut — having turned partially or fully to vinegar
  • Manx: feeyn-gheayragh — having turned partially or fully to vinegar