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

West Indies is the ideal coastal appetizer. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026

Serve appetizers or a cheese board on this acacia platter. —Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026

Caviar, replete with buckwheat blinis and other accoutrements, is a daily decadent appetizer option. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026

Get dinner for two with appetizers, a Dungeness crab, garlic noodles, dessert and wine or beer for $118. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 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
• crystallizer
• digitizer
• equalizer
• fertilizer
• localizer
• merchandiser

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