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

See Examples For:

appetizer appetizers

Phil Rizzuto would meet the moment by spending 10 minutes reviewing every single appetizer and side dish on the menu at the hotel steakhouse.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

It’s the kind of appetizer that starts as “I’ll just try one bite” and somehow ends with an empty bowl and half a bag of chips gone.

From Salon ● May 28, 2026

Their Brussels sprout appetizer with balsamic glaze is amazing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2026

At the tropical Siren Social Club, I splurged on a gin martini, an appetizer of garlicky Gulf shrimp and pastry-encrusted beef Wellington.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 7, 2026

“Unless that meat’s the appetizer, and we’re the main course,” said George.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Of course, these six IPOs are mere appetizers to the SpaceX main course.

From Barron's ● Jun. 2, 2026

I cannot report on the fried appetizers or char-broiled steaks that comprise much of the menu.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026

There was an open bar, a roast beef carving station and trays of appetizers passed around a restaurant located on a Dallas Cowboys themed golf course.

From Slate ● Mar. 30, 2026

Many guests bristle when they can’t be seated as incomplete parties, or order appetizers without putting in their main course order.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 3, 2026

“Yeah. Sorry about my word choice. But I suddenly have an urge to whip up a feast of hot and cold appetizers for Mom and Emma.”

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein