Vinegar is a sour liquid used in cooking, especially as a condimentA seasoning or sauce added to food to improve taste., flavoring, or preservativeA substance that helps food stay fresh longer.. In chemistry, it can also refer more specifically to dilute aceticRelating to vinegar or the main acid in it. acid.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈvɪnɪɡɚ/
Easy pronunciation: VIN-uh-ger (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Use this pronunciation for the noun meaning a sour liquid used in cooking or pickling.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Vinegar Meaning
A sour liquid used in food, salads, and pickling.
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A sour liquid made by the oxidation of alcohol, usually from wine or cider, and used in cooking or for preserving food.
Example: She added a splash of vinegar to the dressing.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- acetum — A dictionary synonym, but it is uncommon and mainly used in a more technical or historical way.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Vinegar
Meaning 2
A weak solution of acetic acid.
Part of speech: noun
Definition: Dilute acetic acid.
Example: The lab used dilute vinegar for the test solution.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- acetum — A technical synonym that fits this chemical sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Vinegar Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- acetum
Dilute acetic acid
- acetum
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Vinegar mainly means the cooking ingredient, not just any sour liquid.
- In chemistry, vinegar can mean dilute acetic acid, which is a narrower technical sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does vinegar mean?
Vinegar usually means a sour liquid used in cooking, especially for dressings, pickling, and preserving food.
What is a synonym for vinegar?
The only supplied dictionary synonym is acetum, but it is uncommon and mostly technical.
Is vinegar the same as acetic acid?
Not exactly. Vinegar is a diluted, acidic liquid made from alcohol fermentation, while acetic acid is the chemical substance behind its sourness.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
