How to pronounce vinegar
Say it like VIN-uh-gher. Vinegar has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VIN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce vinegar. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- VIN
- uh
- gher
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Vinegar pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- VINSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- gherKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of vinegar
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: VIN-ih-guh.
What does vinegar mean?
- sour-tasting liquid produced usually by oxidation of the alcohol in wine or cider and used as a condiment or food preservative
- dilute acetic acid
Where does vinegar come from?
From Middle English vynegre, from Old French vinaigre from Old French vyn egre, based on Latin vīnum (“wine”) + Latin ācer (“sour”).
Questions about saying vinegar
How do you pronounce vinegar?
Say VIN-uh-gher. The American pronunciation is /ˈvɪnəɡɚ/. In British English it is /ˈvɪnɪɡə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in vinegar?
Vinegar has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VIN). Broken into parts: VIN · uh · gher.
Is vinegar pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈvɪnɪɡə/ (VIN-ih-guh).