vinegar
VIH-nuh-guh
Vinegar (noun) means a sour liquid made by fermenting alcohol, used for flavouring, pickling, and preserving food. Example: “She splashed vinegar over the fish and chips.”
noun
1
A sour liquid made by fermenting alcohol, used for flavouring, pickling, and preserving food.
"She splashed vinegar over the fish and chips."
"Add a spoonful of vinegar to the pickling brine."
"Mum cleaned the kettle by boiling a mixture of water and vinegar."
How to use vinegar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sharp, sour liquid used in cooking and pickling, made by fermenting wine, cider, or malt.
Common pairings
malt vinegar
balsamic vinegar
salt and vinegar
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Word forms
- Plural
- vinegars
- Third person singular
- vinegars
- Past tense
- vinegared
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She splashed _____ over the fish and chips.
Etymology
From Old French vyn egre, "sour wine" — from vin ("wine") and aigre ("sour," related to English "acrid" and "eager").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “vinegar” mean?
The word “vinegar” means a sour liquid made by fermenting alcohol, used for flavouring, pickling, and preserving food. In plain terms, a sharp, sour liquid used in cooking and pickling, made by fermenting wine, cider, or malt.
How do you pronounce “vinegar”?
“Vinegar” is pronounced VIH-nuh-guh (/ˈvɪnəɡɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “vinegar” in a sentence?
Here is “vinegar” used in a sentence: “She splashed vinegar over the fish and chips.”
What part of speech is “vinegar”?
“Vinegar” is a noun.
Where does the word “vinegar” come from?
The word “vinegar” comes from Old French. From Old French vyn egre, "sour wine" — from vin ("wine") and aigre ("sour," related to English "acrid" and "eager").
Is “vinegar” a common word?
“Vinegar” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between vinegar and vinegar-based cleaning solutions?
Vinegar itself is a sour liquid made by fermenting alcohol, used for flavouring, pickling, and preserving food, while cleaning solutions often dilute or combine vinegar with water or other ingredients for household use rather than consumption.
What is vinegar used for besides cooking?
Beyond flavouring food, vinegar is also used for pickling and preserving food, thanks to its acidity, which helps inhibit the growth of bacteria.
How is vinegar made?
Vinegar is made by fermenting alcohol, a sour liquid that results from that fermentation process.
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