entrée
Americannoun
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entrées
plural
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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
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
See Examples For:
The reality competition features four chefs who transform baskets of mystery items into an appetizer, entrée or a dessert.
From Salon ● Jun. 15, 2026
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
Their business was finally in the black after Mendocino Farms partnered with the Drakes to make an entrée called “Save Drake Farms Salad” that paid off all their debts, but the pandemic reversed their fortunes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2024
“I happen to know he’s right over there in the petting zoo and was not the main entrée at dinner. So go tell your bad jokes somewhere else.”
From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling
However, there are also smart and simple methods for meatballs and stuffings and crunchy "fried things" and warm, nourishing soups and entrées to eat alongside them, as well as a Sicilian pastry called Iris.
From Salon ● May 5, 2023
Dine-in: Enjoy a four-course Christmas dinner with shared appetizers and salads, entrées and desserts.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 18, 2021
The restaurant has added a three-course, family-style meal priced at $160, with a rotating list of five nibbles and starters, three entrées, two sides and five seasonal desserts to share.
From Washington Times ● May 28, 2019
It’s tempting to maximize on the kitchen’s range by ordering only smaller plates like these, which make up most of the menu, but the entrées are excellent, too.
From The New Yorker ● May 3, 2019
We picked a nice wine to go with our entrées.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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.
