English

Etymology

Adjective

1. sour, like vinegar

   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.

2. acerbic, bitter

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

3. of a liquid, having turned partially or fully to vinegar.

Synonyms

• (sour, like vinegar): acerbic, acrid, sour, tart, vinegarish
• (figurative: acerbic, bitter): acerbic, bitter, nasty, sour, vitriolic
• (having turned partially or fully to vinegar):

Derived terms

• vinegariness

Translations