hors d'oeuvre

[ awr durv; French awr-dœ-vruh ]

/ ɔr ˈdɜrv; French ɔr ˈdœ vrə /

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See synonyms for hors d'oeuvre on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural hors d'oeuvre, hors d'oeuvres

[awr durvz; French awr-dœ-vruh]. /ɔr ˈdɜrvz; French ɔr ˈdœ vrə/.

a small bit of appetizing food, as spicy meat, fish, cheese, or a preparation of chopped or creamed foods, often served on crackers or small pieces of toast, for eating at cocktail parties or other gatherings where drinks are served with no other food.

an appetizer, as a relish or more elaborate preparation, served before or as the first course of a meal.

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Origin of hors d'oeuvre

1705–15; <French: outside of the main course

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use hors d'oeuvre in a sentence

“Gronkowski” itself never manages to sound more erotic than the name of a hearty Polish stew or a D-list WWE performer.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I take calcium and vitamin D supplements, but prescription medications are generally only for women in menopause.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then Pascal responds (in all caps) with, “BUT WE DIDNT WIN A D [sic] YOU KNOW HIM.”
Exclusive: Sony Emails Blast David O. Russell For Allegedly ‘Feeling Up’ Transgender Niece|William Boot|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The move gets an “A” for symbolism and a “D” for everything else.
Sony Blames North Korea for Hacking, but Washington Left Them Completely Vulnerable|Gordon G. Chang|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), a leading voice on police demilitarization, was supportive of the White House announcement.
SWAT Lobby Shoots to Kill Police Reform After Ferguson|Tim Mak|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
C was a Captain, all covered with lace; D was a drunkard, and had a red face.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
D'o l'on peut aussy veoir, quelle esperance il y a de planter une belle chrestient par tels evangelistes.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Neither of us spoke again, and at length the squat log buildings of Pend d' Oreille loomed ahead of us in the night.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
He picked out that simple little study of Cramer in D major in the first book—you know it well—and asked me to play it.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
(d) Excess balances may, at the convenience of each federal reserve bank, remain deposited with the gold settlement fund.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips

British Dictionary definitions for hors d'oeuvre

hors d'oeuvre

/ (ɔː ˈdɜːvr, French ɔr dœvrə) /

noun plural hors d'oeuvre or hors d'oeuvres (ˈdɜːvr, French dœvrə)

an additional dish served as an appetizer, usually before the main meal

Word Origin for hors d'oeuvre

C18: from French, literally: outside the work, not part of the main course

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

hors d'oeuvre

Origin of hors d'oeuvre

Words related to hors d'oeuvre

How to use hors d'oeuvre in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hors d'oeuvre

Word Origin for hors d'oeuvre