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
Guests enjoyed a watermelon salad for an appetizer, then chose between a filet mignon, chicken breast or mushroom risotto for their main course before diving into slices of a four-tier vanilla wedding cake and spoonfuls of mango sorbet topped with Tajín.
—
Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Staff began serving the three-course meal around 2:30 p.m., with waiters pouring glasses of wine and serving appetizers.
—Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Jan. 2025
Although the unfortunate circumstances wouldn’t allow for an appetizer in Los Angeles, there was a pretty good main course: Friday night’s date with older brother Lonzo Ball in Chicago, marking just the fourth time the duo matched up in the NBA, and first occasion since 2021.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Jan. 2025
Star Fruit and Cheese Combining star fruit with cheese creates a nutrient-dense appetizer or snack.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for appetizer 
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Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Staff began serving the three-course meal around 2:30 p.m., with waiters pouring glasses of wine and serving appetizers.
—Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Jan. 2025
Although the unfortunate circumstances wouldn’t allow for an appetizer in Los Angeles, there was a pretty good main course: Friday night’s date with older brother Lonzo Ball in Chicago, marking just the fourth time the duo matched up in the NBA, and first occasion since 2021.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Jan. 2025
Star Fruit and Cheese Combining star fruit with cheese creates a nutrient-dense appetizer or snack.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for appetizer
Articles Related to appetizer
Dictionary Entries Near appetizer
Cite this Entry
“Appetizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appetizer. Accessed 29 Jan. 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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