appetizer

American  

[ap-i-tahy-zer] / ˈæp ɪˌtaɪ zər /

noun

appetizers plural

1. a small portion of a food or drink served before or at the beginning of a meal to stimulate the desire to eat.

2. any small portion that stimulates a desire for more or that indicates more is to follow.

   The first game was an appetizer to a great football season.

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appetizer British  

/ ˈæpɪˌtaɪzə /

noun

1. a small amount of food or drink taken to stimulate the appetite

2. any stimulating foretaste

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• appetizers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of appetizer

First recorded in 1860–65; appetiz(ing) + -er ¹

Explanation

An appetizer is part of a meal that's served before the main course. You might serve your dinner guests an appetizer of crab-stuffed mushrooms when they first arrive for dinner. Usually, an appetizer is a small serving of food — just a few bites — meant to be eaten before an entree, and often shared by several people. You can also call an appetizer an hors d'oeuvre. An appetizer is meant to stimulate your appetite, making you extra hungry for your meal. This is where the word comes from, literally meaning "something to whet the appetite" or "something to appetize."

Example Sentences

The reality competition features four chefs who transform baskets of mystery items into an appetizer, entrée or a dessert.

From Salon • Jun. 15, 2026

Their Brussels sprout appetizer with balsamic glaze is amazing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Chili’s offers a deal with a drink, appetizer and entree that starts at $10.99.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 6, 2026

On standard Italian menus, pasta is known as a “first course,” in what amounts to a second appetizer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 26, 2025

With that, the former king of a former Wall Street lifted the plate that held his appetizer and asked, sweetly, “Would you like a deviled egg?”

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis