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

Melanie Masarin, the founder and CEO of Ghia, a nonalcoholic-drink brand, recently told me that an investor asked her whether Ghia has plans for a high-protein aperitif. —Rachel Sugar, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026

Cape Bottle Room Cape Bottle Room focuses on nonalcoholic wines and aperitifs, particularly selections from South Africa. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 6 Jan. 2026

Far better is to flip those ratios, making a sparkling wine drink with just a little absinthe and a perfect pre-dinner aperitif. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2025

Also on offer are artisanal Italian beers, prosecco aperitifs and a few cocktails as well as Campari and Limoncello. —Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 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