amuse-bouche

noun

ə-ˈmyüz-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

This display of light bondage proved merely an amuse-bouche to the erotic banquet that Fennell had prepared. — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

Across the pond, at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, The Genesis Scottish Open, a co-sanctioned PGA Tour and DP World Tour event that serves as the amuse-bouche to next week’s Open Championship is brewing plenty of drama. — Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

But judging from this amuse-bouche, jury is still out on the romantic leads. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026

India has deep literary traditions in several regional languages, and this delicious novella, translated from Kannada, is a perfect amuse-bouche. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, (it) entertains (the) mouth

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amuse-bouche

• barouche
• cartouche
• douche
• touche
• whoosh

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Video

How to Read a French Menu

How to 'amuse-bouche' without begging pardon for your French