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

Etymology

Origin of appetizer

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

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

Brinker International guided for another year of profitable growth, as its Chili’s chain continues to attract value-seeking diners with its Triple Dipper appetizer, burgers and ribs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

On Monday, Fisher and the A’s open a six-game homestand at a triple-A ballpark in Las Vegas, an appetizer before their scheduled move into a new stadium there in 2028.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026

My dinner at Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen and Bar came with a choice of an appetizer, entree and dessert.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026

But then she, Saint Sarah, squeals when she finds out that I’m an appetizer, no dinner, and yes dessert person too, like her.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

Place it in the middle of the table and watch people begin absentmindedly tearing off pieces before the appetizers have even landed.

From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026

The convenience store chain pointed to strong sales of whole pizzas as well as appetizers and sides, in addition to strength in non-alcoholic beverages.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

Of course, these six IPOs are mere appetizers to the SpaceX main course.

From Barron's ● Jun. 2, 2026

The appetizers that we always get are called Moroccan Cigars, which are vegan meat substitutes fried in a rolled batter.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2026

For the adventurous, there is fried rattlesnake or Rocky Mountain oysters for appetizers.

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling