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

There is also an appetizer of octopus and shrimp tostada ($13) with a creamy coconut aioli and fresh apple. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026

Thursday night is going to be a nice little appetizer, so to speak. —Michael Russo, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026

Sushi lovers can choose from nigiri, rolls and a slew of raw bar appetizers, while the fish-averse and vegetarians can enjoy other meat-based or veggie entrées. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026

Its design is ambiguous enough that a pasta bowl could also be a salad bowl or a vessel for appetizers. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 7 Apr. 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