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

Lower in alcohol and markedly less sweet than most European counterparts, this aperitif is quite fresh, with peppery notes of eucalyptus and a pleasantly tart currant flavor. —Jerry & Krista Slater, AJC.com, 12 Apr. 2026

Sherry, the briny aperitif that hails from the same region as flamenco, is the obvious choice here; choose from a whopping 400 bottles selected by sherry savant David Ayuso. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026

Serve it in a wine glass over plenty of ice for a classic French aperitif, or use it to make a low-ABV spritz by combining equal parts Lillet and grapefruit soda, sparkling wine, or seltzer water. —Martha Stewart, 10 Apr. 2026

Enjoy a day at the beach (accessed directly from the property) followed by an afternoon aperitif on the picture-perfect terrace presiding over the sea. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026

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

1885, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aperitif

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