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 event also included gourmet appetizers, craft cocktails, live music and guest speakers, including county District Attorney Summer Stephan. —La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026

Serve it as an appetizer with crostinis or over a bed of arugula for your Derby festivities. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026

The menu includes other appetizers from the grill like chorizo, sweetbreads and romanesco and raw bar selections like beef or tuna tartare, octopus carpaccio, hamachi and oysters. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

Have it as a meal or serve as an appetizer. —Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 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