appetizer

[ ap-i-tahy-zer ]

/ ˈæp ɪˌtaɪ zər /

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See synonyms for: appetizer / appetizers on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of appetizer

First recorded in 1860–65; appetiz(ing) + -er¹

Words nearby appetizer

appetence, appetency, appetite, appetitive, appetitive behavior, appetizer, appetizing, Appia, Appian Way, appl., applanate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use appetizer in a sentence

Subtle and delicious, this wine is great by itself, but it also benefits from lighter seafood dishes or salty appetizers.
This $11 Bordeaux begs for pizza or burgers and will put a smile on your face|Dave McIntyre|December 18, 2020|Washington Post
My initial inclination, partly to support struggling dining establishments, was to suggest she and like-minded customers opt instead for a light appetizer or two.
How to freshen up your takeout game and keep restaurant food hot in the cold|Tom Sietsema|December 11, 2020|Washington Post
Embrace appetizersAt home, we usually reserve appetizers for holidays, but having a li’l somethin’ before the main meal is an easy way to upgrade any weeknight dinner.
Gifts to make eating at home feel like dining out|Corinne Iozzio|November 23, 2020|Popular-Science
The appetizers run good-to-great, but when I think about going back, it’s for charred cabbage layered with shaved pineapple.
At Moon Rabbit, chef Kevin Tien lures fans to the Wharf|Tom Sietsema|November 20, 2020|Washington Post

Here, that swoon-worthy oreganata topping graduates from appetizer to main course as the highlight of a quick sheet-pan dinner.
Turn cod into a swoon-worthy sheet-pan meal with herby, spicy bread crumbs|Ellie Krieger|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
We were barely into the appetizer when he asked a fairly basic question—where did my family live?
Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone|Samantha Levine|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Picking at an appetizer veggie platter is a good option as well.
12 Thanksgiving Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work|DailyBurn|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And that was just the appetizer portion of what was served up at CPAC.
CPAC: Come for the Crazy, Stay for the Party|Michelle Cottle|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A senior regime official warned several days ago: “What you are seeing is the appetizer: the main course is yet to come.”
Battered Syrian Rebels Cede Aleppo’s Salaheddin District to Assad Military|Jamie Dettmer|August 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And he can tell them this deal is a mere appetizer for the huge cuts to come in 2013, when Republicans occupy the White House.
The Budget Deal's Odd Couple|Peter Beinart|April 11, 2011|DAILY BEAST
"No, that would only serve as an appetizer," answered David.
Grace Harlowe's Plebe Year at High School|Jessie Graham Flower
Having worked all day and perhaps having walked home, the Parisian saves a half hour before dinner for his appetizer.
Paris Vistas|Helen Davenport Gibbons
As an appetizer the toasted cheese on toasted bread was excellent, but the supper—if she had only let him get it.
How It Happened|Kate Langley Bosher
In fact, no better appetizer to serve at the beginning of a meal can be found.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 3|Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
They are served either hot or cold as an appetizer or as a first course for lunch or dinner.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 4|Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences

British Dictionary definitions for appetizer

appetizer

appetiser

/ (ˈæpɪˌtaɪzə) /

noun

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

any stimulating foretaste

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

appetizer

Origin of appetizer

Words nearby appetizer

Words related to appetizer

How to use appetizer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for appetizer

appetiser