entrée
Americannoun
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a dish served as the main course of a meal.
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Older Use. a dish served at dinner between the principal courses.
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the privilege of entering; access.
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a means of obtaining entry.
His friendship with an actor's son was his entrée into the theatrical world.
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the act of entering; entrance.
noun
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a dish served before a main course
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the main course of a meal
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the power or right of entry
Etymology
Origin of entrée
1775–85; < French, noun use of feminine past participle of entrer to enter; see entry
Explanation
Go to a fancy restaurant and take a look at the menu. If you decide to order the chicken, you've just selected your entree. Entree, pronounced "ON-tray" and sometimes spelled entrée, is another word for main course, at least as it's usually used in this country. Sometimes people talk about having an entree into society, or into some club. When it's used in those contexts, it usually means you have someone who's going to smooth the way, introduce you, and allow you to enter.
Vocabulary lists containing entree
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
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English Words Derived from French, List 7
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The homeless are served entrée, plat, dessert, plus a cheese course and wine.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
Baker Hughes has relationships with the national oil companies in the Middle East, giving Flexsteel an entrée to grow dramatically over time.
From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026
Many of these can be batched ahead and used throughout the week — though sometimes, honestly, it’s nice to let a winter salad be a whole project, an entrée you build with intention.
From Salon • Dec. 16, 2025
It was, as the French might say, une entrée dramatique.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2025
Sutton’s is a cafeteria down the street from the department store, with trays that you slide down a steel counter to select just what you want for your entrée and side dish.
From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
