vinegary

[ vin-i-guh-ree ]

adjective

1. of the nature of or resembling vinegar; sour; acid:

   a vinegary taste.

2. having a disagreeable character or manner; crabbed; ill-tempered:

   a vinegary person.

ˈvinegary

/ ˈvɪnɪɡərɪ /

adjective

1. containing vinegar; tasting of or like vinegar
2. bad-tempered, sour, or peevish

Word History and Origins

Origin of vinegary¹

First recorded in 1720–30; vinegar + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Mr. Brisbane looked a little vinegary again on Monday morning, though.

From Literature

His foil is the vinegary, steely-spined principal, Sister Aloysius, who forbids the kids to sing “Frosty the Snowman” and is suspicious of ballpoint pens.

From Seattle Times

“A lot of time, you have these cold noodle dishes, and the sauce is either way too salty, or too vinegary or sweet. Just the way they balanced this, a bit savory, sweet and nutty.”

From Seattle Times

Don’t miss your choice of creamy or vinegary potato salad, nor the meat-salad that is fleischsalat, if you go that way.

From Seattle Times

Mambo sauce, also spelled as “mumbo,” is a regional specialty of the nation’s capital — a tomato-based sauce with a sweet, spicy and vinegary flavor.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• acid
• acidic
• acrid
• biting
• bitter
• briny
• caustic
• fermented
• musty
• peppery
• piquant
• pungent
• rancid
• sharp
• soured
• unpleasant