amuse-bouche
noun
ə-ˈmyüz-ˈbüsh 
ˈä-ˌmüz-ˈbüsh
ˈä-ˌmüz-ˈbüsh
-ˌmᵫz-
plural amuse-bouches also amuses-bouches
ə-ˈmyüz-büsh
-ˈbü-shəz,
ˈä-ˌmüz-ˈbüsh
-ˈbü-shəz,
-ˌmᵫz-
: a small complimentary appetizer offered at some restaurants
Examples of amuse-bouche in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The kaleidoscope of color followed us to the restaurant, where there was a scotch bonnet on top of my margarita and green tobiko atop an amuse-bouche of local lobster.
—
Elspeth Velten, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2025
With each new dish, flavors, portions, complexity and texture build from there.
Editors’ Picks
Image
Image
The amuse-bouche is usually whimsical, and starts the performance at the table and buys the kitchen time.
—Alix Strauss, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
Couples enjoying dinner at Papaya Club Feb. 14-15 can enjoy a complimentary oyster amuse-bouche.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
These ladies are just a few of the 1,000-plus dogs who powered through the two-day American Kennel Club Meet the Breeds extravaganza, the country’s largest canine convention, which serves as a kind of amuse-bouche for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in mid-February.
—Chloe Malle, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2025
Noisette is providing a three-course dinner with an additional amuse-bouche to start and petit fours to finish for $164.70 per person, including a 22% service charge.
—Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025
The meal starts with an amuse-bouche of buckwheat blini topped with Osetra caviar and crème fraîche.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
The evening will begin with an amuse-bouche, followed by a choice of antipasti, pasta, and main courses like the Filetto alla Rossini or Turbot with champagne sauce, finishing with a savory chestnut mousse.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
If a bold—but not brash—statement is your aim, using Mocha Mousse as an amuse-bouche accent wall adds a pop of sophisticated vibrancy while creating bite-sized moments of joy.
—Tim Nelson, Architectural Digest, 5 Dec. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Elspeth Velten, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2025
With each new dish, flavors, portions, complexity and texture build from there.
Editors’ Picks
Image
Image
The amuse-bouche is usually whimsical, and starts the performance at the table and buys the kitchen time.
—Alix Strauss, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
Couples enjoying dinner at Papaya Club Feb. 14-15 can enjoy a complimentary oyster amuse-bouche.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
These ladies are just a few of the 1,000-plus dogs who powered through the two-day American Kennel Club Meet the Breeds extravaganza, the country’s largest canine convention, which serves as a kind of amuse-bouche for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in mid-February.
—Chloe Malle, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2025
Noisette is providing a three-course dinner with an additional amuse-bouche to start and petit fours to finish for $164.70 per person, including a 22% service charge.
—Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025
The meal starts with an amuse-bouche of buckwheat blini topped with Osetra caviar and crème fraîche.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
The evening will begin with an amuse-bouche, followed by a choice of antipasti, pasta, and main courses like the Filetto alla Rossini or Turbot with champagne sauce, finishing with a savory chestnut mousse.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
If a bold—but not brash—statement is your aim, using Mocha Mousse as an amuse-bouche accent wall adds a pop of sophisticated vibrancy while creating bite-sized moments of joy.
—Tim Nelson, Architectural Digest, 5 Dec. 2024
Video
How to Read a French Menu
How to 'amuse-bouche' without begging pardon for your French
Cite this Entry
“Amuse-bouche.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amuse-bouche. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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