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

Someone else grabbed drinks and appetizers at The Cherry Cricket and left $60 lighter. —Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026

Tickets are available presale only; $30 includes wine and appetizers. —Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

An albino raccoon named Cricket reaches through the wires of its cage to grab an animal cracker, an appetizer treat right before the evening meal. —Blake Farmer, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2026

Pair the burger with another limited-time entree such as the Fiesta Lime Chicken or Oriental Chicken Salad along with an appetizer or two side salads, all for $25. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

appetiz(ing) + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for appetizer

• advertiser
• analyser
• analyzer
• atomizer
• breathalyzer
• colonizer
• crystallizer
• digitizer
• equalizer
• fertilizer
• localizer
• merchandiser

Kids 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