vinegar

/ˈvɪnəgər/

/ˈvɪnɪgə/

Other forms: vinegars

Vinegar is a liquid that's commonly used in cooking for its tart, acidic flavor. You're probably familiar with the taste of vinegar from things like salad dressing and pickles.

While you might not want to drink a glass of vinegar, it's a useful ingredient in many recipes, both for its flavor, which varies depending on how it's made, and its tenderizing properties. Vinegar can also be used for cleaning, freshening laundry, killing pests, and taking the sting off a bite from a jellyfish or wasp, among many other uses. Vinegar means "sour wine," and that's exactly what it is— juice that's fermented way beyond wine.

Definitions of vinegar

1. noun

   sour-tasting liquid produced usually by oxidation of the alcohol in wine or cider and used as a condiment or food preservative
   synonyms: acetum

   types:

   chili vinegar

   fiery vinegar flavored with chili peppers

   cider vinegar

   vinegar made from cider

   wine vinegar

   vinegar made from wine

   type of:

   condiment

   a preparation (a sauce or relish or spice) to enhance flavor or enjoyment
2. noun

   dilute acetic acid
   type of:

   acetic acid, ethanoic acid

   a colorless pungent liquid widely used in manufacturing plastics and pharmaceuticals