vinegary

IPA/ˈvɪnɪɡəri/
IPA/ˈvɪnɪɡəri/

vinegary — adjective

  • vinegarypositive
  • more vinegarycomparative
  • most vinegarysuperlative

1. describes food or drink with a noticeably sharp, sour flavour or odour similar t

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes food or drink with a noticeably sharp, sour flavour or odour similar to that of vinegar — for instance, wine that has spoiled, or dressing that has too much vinegar.

例句

The pickles had a sharp, vinegary taste that made Apinya's mouth pucker.

collocation: vinegary taste

Ravindra sniffed the bottle and noticed a vinegary smell — the wine had gone bad.

collocation: vinegary smell

同義詞
  • sour

    broader term; describes any acidic taste, not specifically vinegar-like

  • acidic

    more scientific or clinical; used for high-acid foods

  • tangy

    positive connotation; suggests a pleasantly sharp flavour

反義詞
  • sweet

    the opposite taste profile

  • mild

    lacking sharpness or acidity

用法筆記

Often used to describe wine, salad dressing, pickles, or fermented foods. Can express criticism when applied to wine (the wine has spoiled) or a neutral description of intended sharpness in dressings or preserved foods.

常見錯誤

❌The soup had a sharp vinegary taste, but it was delicious.' (as a pure negative)
✅The soup had a sharp vinegary tang that made it very enjoyable.
💡vinegary is not always negative; in some dishes a vinegary quality is intended and positive.

2. describes a person who behaves in an irritable, hostile, or sharply critical man

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a person who behaves in an irritable, hostile, or sharply critical manner — for example, a supervisor who constantly points out flaws in everything their team does.

例句

The elderly neighbour gave Felix a vinegary look when his football landed in her garden.

collocation: vinegary look

Karim's vinegary comments during the team meeting made everyone shift uncomfortably in their seats.

collocation: vinegary comments

同義詞
  • sour

    broader and more common; can describe a sulky or grumpy mood

  • bitter

    implies deep-seated resentment rather than habitual sharpness

  • acerbic

    more formal; suggests sharp wit rather than mere irritability

  • caustic

    stronger; implies speech that is corrosive and hurtful

反義詞
  • kind

    warm and gentle in manner

  • sweet

    pleasant and friendly in disposition

用法筆記

Primarily describes manner, tone of voice, facial expressions (look), or spoken remarks. Less common than 'sour' or 'bitter'; carries a specific comparison to the sharp, thin quality of vinegar. Not used for deep-seated anger or resentment — more for a habitual sharpness.

常見錯誤

❌Grandma was vinegary about losing her wedding ring.' (confusing with sadness or grief)
✅Grandma's vinegary tone whenever the neighbours played music showed her irritable mood.
💡vinegary describes sharp, critical behaviour, not sadness or hurt feelings.
❌The vinegary sauce matched her vinegary personality.' (overextending metaphor)
✅Her vinegary remarks at dinner matched the sour look on her face.
💡avoid mixing the literal and figurative senses in the same sentence.