apéritif

[ah-per-i-teef, uh-per-, a-pey-ree-teef]

noun

plural

apéritifs 

1. a small drink of alcoholic liquor taken to stimulate the appetite before a meal.

2. Also called apéritif wine. a wine served as an appetizer or cocktail.

apéritif

/ ɑːˌpɛrɪˈtiːf, əˌpɛr- /

noun

1. an alcoholic drink, esp a wine, drunk before a meal to whet the appetite

Word History and Origins

Origin of apéritif¹

1890–95; < French ( vin ) apéritif; aperitive

Word History and Origins

Origin of apéritif¹

C19: from French, from Medieval Latin aperitīvus, from Latin aperīre to open

Example Sentences

With a base of white wine made in New York’s Finger Lakes region, this brand new, very pretty aperitif brimming with tropical botanicals is the season’s must-have spritz-maker.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For example, as an aperitif I’d serve a Crémant from France, a Prosecco from Italy or a Cava from Spain.

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Even Nike, known for its bold and chunky exhortations to “Just Do It,” has started playing with more delicate, serif lettering, as have Pepsi, the nonalcohol aperitif company Ghia and sunglasses maker Oakley.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

After downing his aperitif, the farmer introduced himself to the convict.

Read more on Salon

De Soi, a non-alcoholic aperitif made with natural adaptogens.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appetizer 
• drink 
• wine