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

Afterwards, guests attended a private aperitif organized in the area of Piazza Sant'Anna, which was completely cordoned off and teeming with law enforcement. —Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 7 June 2026

Peer brands in the category include a non-alcoholic beer called Crazy Mountain, backed by actor George Clooney and recently raising $15 million in a funding round, as well as singer Katy Perry’s nonalcoholic aperitif De Soi and model Bella Hadid’s non-alcoholic beverage brand Kin Euphorics. —John Kell, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

But nothing quite sums up the heady tropical flavors of Florida quite like its original aperitif—Munyon’s Paw-Paw. —Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 30 May 2026

You’ll be served an aperitif, a charcuterie platter, local Swiss wine, coffee, and water, while a dedicated concierge—who will accompany you throughout the journey—shares historical insights for a more immersive experience. —Lauren David, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 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