appetizer

UK/ˈæpɪˌtaɪzə/

nounB1+Common in everyday speech and writing · #7,664 of 15,258leans spoken

Other forms: appetizers

An appetizer is the small first course that wakes your hunger. Order an appetizer, share the appetizers, a light appetizer.

It is American; Britain says starter and France says entree, which confusingly means the main course in America. British spelling would be appetiser with an s. Something small and salty is the traditional choice, since salt genuinely raises appetite.

Definitions of appetizer

1nounappetizerThe small first course that wakes your hunger.B1+
“We shared a plate of garlic bread as an appetizer.”
- Said"Let's share an appetizer; the mains here are enormous."
- WrittenThe appetizers came on tiny plates, three bites each, and were the best part of the night.
- UsedServe the appetizer as guests arrive, not after they sit down.
- ContrastAn appetizer, not a dessert. The appetizer opens the meal and sharpens hunger; dessert closes it. dessert →
- Not thisBread on the table is not an appetizer. An appetizer is a dish you order.
- Exchange"Appetizer?""The soup. And bring extra spoons."
- SimplyThe appetizer is small. The dinner comes next.
Patternorder / share an appetizer · appetizer of + noun · an appetizer before the main · starter (British)

appetizer is a course.

Also accepted in games: starter

Remember it

APPETizer → it wakes your APPETite

It wakes your appetite: a small plate before the meal that makes you hungry for the rest.

hooks ontoappetite

Where it comes from

From appetize + -er.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

Definitions of appetizer

1nounappetizerThe small first course that wakes your hunger.B1+

“We shared a plate of garlic bread as an appetizer.”

Said"Let's share an appetizer; the mains here are enormous."
WrittenThe appetizers came on tiny plates, three bites each, and were the best part of the night.
UsedServe the appetizer as guests arrive, not after they sit down.
ContrastAn appetizer, not a dessert. The appetizer opens the meal and sharpens hunger; dessert closes it. dessert →
Not thisBread on the table is not an appetizer. An appetizer is a dish you order.
Exchange"Appetizer?""The soup. And bring extra spoons."
SimplyThe appetizer is small. The dinner comes next.

Patternorder / share an appetizer · appetizer of + noun · an appetizer before the main · starter (British)

appetizer is a course.

Also accepted in games: starter