ˈvinig(ə)rē, -nēg-, -ri adjective
1. : resembling vinegar especially in taste : tart , sour
munched bread and dark, vinegary … olives — New Yorker
2.
a. : having a disagreeable, bitter, or coldly severe character or manner : acerbic , crabbed , astringent
a vinegary unpleasant person — W.H.Wright
gave him a thin vinegary greeting — G.W.Brace
b. : easily moved to irascibility : peppery , choleric
vinegary lovable old village practitioner — Newsweek