aperitif

noun

aper·​i·​tif ə-ˌper-ə-ˈtēf 

a-;

ˌä-pər-(ə-)ˈtēf

: an alcoholic drink taken before a meal as an appetizer

Examples of aperitif in a Sentence

They served us champagne as an aperitif.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sarti Rosa If Barbie had an aperitif, this would be it. —Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025

For years across social media, fans have been convinced that the cast of Mamma Mia! were drunk on set due to ouzo, a Greek aperitif. —Francesca Gariano, People.com, 19 July 2025

The terrace opens onto uninterrupted countryside vistas, ideal for admiring over a sunset aperitif. —Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 27 June 2025

During the two-day cruise, Martha Stewart hosted a sunset aperitif, Janelle Monáe lit up a DJ set, Sting gave a surprise performance and a drone show illuminated the Sicilian coastline, providing endless fodder for what felt like every A-lister’s Instagram Stories feed. —Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French apéritif, from apéritif, adjective, "aperient, stimulating appetite," going back to Old French aperitif "aperient," borrowed from Medieval Latin aperitīvus, variant of Late Latin apertīvus, from Latin apertus, past participle of aperīre "to open" + -īvus -ive — more at aperient

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aperitif

• beef
• brief
• chief
• fief
• grief
• leaf
• lief
• reef
• reif
• seif
• sheaf
• thief