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
From crowd-pleasing mains to comforting sides, classic appetizers, and desserts these are the recipes that turn into traditions.
—
Katie Strasberg Rousso, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2025
That award-winning wine list While the Fig Tree is known for signature dishes like the elk chop, the bison ribeye and that rich escargot appetizer, it’s largely recognized for its wine.
—Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2025
Commissioner Gary Bettman billed the 4 Nations featuring the U.S., Canada, Sweden and Finland as an appetizer for Milan.
—Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
With the league set to send its best to Milan next year, the Four Nations Face-off served as a sort of appetizer for that tournament, a preview of what’s to come when the top players in the world put on their country’s uniforms in the Olympics.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
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Katie Strasberg Rousso, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2025
That award-winning wine list While the Fig Tree is known for signature dishes like the elk chop, the bison ribeye and that rich escargot appetizer, it’s largely recognized for its wine.
—Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2025
Commissioner Gary Bettman billed the 4 Nations featuring the U.S., Canada, Sweden and Finland as an appetizer for Milan.
—Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
With the league set to send its best to Milan next year, the Four Nations Face-off served as a sort of appetizer for that tournament, a preview of what’s to come when the top players in the world put on their country’s uniforms in the Olympics.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for appetizer
Articles Related to appetizer
Cite this Entry
“Appetizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appetizer. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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