Appetizer - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
An appetizer is a small dish served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. It is often light and flavorful, setting the tone for the main course. Examples include soups, salads, or finger foods.
Definition:
A small dish served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.
Synonyms:
starter, hors d'oeuvre, canapé, finger food
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
main course, dessert
Common Collocations:
order an appetizer, serve as an appetizer, delicious appetizer, shareable appetizer, classic appetizer
Derivatives:
appetizing, appetize
Usage Tips:
Use "appetizer" to describe small dishes before the main meal; avoid confusing it with "entrée" in American English.
Common Phrases:
whet your appetite, starter before the main course, light bite
Etymology:
Derived from French "appétit," meaning "desire for food," with the suffix "-er" indicating an agent or instrument.
Examples:
- 1. We ordered a delicious shrimp appetizer before dinner.
- 2. The restaurant serves a complimentary appetizer with every meal.
- 3. She loves sharing an appetizer with friends at happy hour.
- 4. Try the spinach dip—it’s their most popular appetizer!