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

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Etymology

Origin of appetizer

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

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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

The night was still young, so we settled on a light appetizer of foie gras and tangy Chenin Blanc, before heading out for round two.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

Nibble on an appetizer: The main course used to be the whole point of eating out at a restaurant.

From Slate ● Oct. 19, 2026

A shockingly good celery, blue cheese, walnut appetizer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

In any case, the ADP report is an appetizer of sorts ahead of the main course for markets: the official U.S. employment report on Friday.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026

Penelope and Miss Mortimer sat in awestruck silence as the waiter uncovered their appetizer plates.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

For appetizers, I also love putting out potato chips, olives, slices of salami and cucumbers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026

You can order some appetizers or a couple of pizzas and have everyone bring their own alcohol or other beverages.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

White button mushrooms are a valuable specialty crop and a familiar ingredient in everything from salads and appetizers to everyday meals.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

I had prepped appetizers, sides and heavily salted my steaks, in advance, which was fortunate.

From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026

When Mom returns with appetizers, we forget about the Zodiac.

From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle

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