vinegary

comparative more vinegary · superlative most vinegary

1. Sour; like vinegar.

   Cherry Jones as Nan Pierce (2023), 42:42 from the start, in Succession, season 4, episode 1: “I like my wine thin and vinegary.”

   1 more example

   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.

   Synonyms: acerbic, acrid, sour, tart, vinegarish

2. figurativelyAcerbic, bitter, irritable.

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

   2 more examples

   Then she remembered Jalil's disgusting behaviour of the previous evening and turned to give him vinegary words.

   1959, Anthony Burgess, Beds in the East (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 562

   A vinegary face has Mrs Miff, and a mortified bonnet, and eke a thirsty soul for sixpences and shillings.

   1846 October 1 – 1848 April 1, Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1848, →OCLC

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