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

NutriChef 3-Piece Non-Stick Baking Pans For your next sheet pan dinner, batch of cookies, or party appetizers, grab this set of non-stick baking pans while it’s marked down. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2025

The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers will be the appetizer for fans before getting locked into Thanksgiving dinner. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025

Entertaining Made Easy These festive appetizers are perfect for potlucks, cookie exchanges and holiday parties. —Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 26 Nov. 2025

Detroit and Green Bay will play the first of three NFL games on Thanksgiving — an appetizer for the meals to follow. —Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

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