appetizer
noun
ap·pe·tiz·er
ˈa-pə-ˌtī-zər 
1
: a food or drink that stimulates the appetite and is usually served before a meal
The appetizers included shrimp with cocktail sauce, vegetables and dips, cheeses, and fruits.
2
: something that stimulates a desire for more
a literary appetizer
hoped that the short trip would be an appetizer for longer ones
Examples of appetizer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The menu is divided into appetizers, salads, mains and desserts, and there are rotating global specials.
—
The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
The lenses are meant to mimic the evocative light at twilight, when many Italians indulge in aperitivo hour, eat light appetizers, drink, and engage in casual conversation.
—Max Berlinger, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024
The Italian Community Center buffet is served from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and features buffet stations with appetizers, traditional breakfast items, entrees, a carving table, kids menu and desserts.
—Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024
The menu is simple: one appetizer, one dessert and six different seafood tacos.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
Cubes of tuna tartare top a base of avocado, a familiar appetizer served with splotches of lively yuzu and sriracha sauces.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
Guests will never believe this bar-favorite appetizer came from your air fryer.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2024
Its oval shape features nine spots to add the bite-sized appetizers.
—Bridget Degnan, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
Ticket includes drink ticket, appetizers and watching NCAA tournament.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 17 Mar. 2024
The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
The lenses are meant to mimic the evocative light at twilight, when many Italians indulge in aperitivo hour, eat light appetizers, drink, and engage in casual conversation.
—Max Berlinger, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024
The Italian Community Center buffet is served from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and features buffet stations with appetizers, traditional breakfast items, entrees, a carving table, kids menu and desserts.
—Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024
The menu is simple: one appetizer, one dessert and six different seafood tacos.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
Cubes of tuna tartare top a base of avocado, a familiar appetizer served with splotches of lively yuzu and sriracha sauces.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
Guests will never believe this bar-favorite appetizer came from your air fryer.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2024
Its oval shape features nine spots to add the bite-sized appetizers.
—Bridget Degnan, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
Ticket includes drink ticket, appetizers and watching NCAA tournament.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 17 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'appetizer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Appetizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appetizer. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
appetizer
noun
ap·pe·tiz·er
ˈap-ə-ˌtī-zər
1
: a food or drink usually served before a meal to make one hungrier
2
: something that creates a desire for more
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