appetizer

noun

ap·​pe·​tiz·​er ˈa-pə-ˌtī-zər 

1

: a food or drink that stimulates the appetite and is usually served before a meal

The appetizers included shrimp with cocktail sauce, vegetables and dips, cheeses, and fruits.

2

: something that stimulates a desire for more

a literary appetizer

hoped that the short trip would be an appetizer for longer ones

Examples of appetizer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Serve these together as a warm appetizer plate and thank me later. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Breakfast, Turkish coffee, kebab lunch plates, mezze appetizers and Iraqi-style entrees. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026

After the appetizers, waiters arrived in unison to lift silver cloches and reveal blushes, and eyeliners appeared once the main course was cleared. — Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026

Kumiko Room will serve just three such appetizers, followed by 10 to 14 pieces of sushi, soup, and one dessert. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

appetiz(ing) + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for appetizer

• advertiser
• analyser
• analyzer
• atomizer
• breathalyzer
• colonizer
• digitizer
• equalizer
• fertilizer
• localizer
• merchandiser
• moisturizer

Kids Definition

appetizer

noun

ap·​pe·​tiz·​er ˈap-ə-ˌtī-zər 

1

: a food or drink usually served before a meal to make one hungrier

2

: something that creates a desire for more