hors d'oeuvre

noun

ȯr-ˈdərv 

plural hors d'oeuvres also hors d'oeuvre ȯr-ˈdərv(z) 

: any of various savory foods usually served as appetizers

Examples of hors d'oeuvre in a Sentence

a tray of assorted hors d'oeuvres

Recent Examples on the Web

All packages provide surfing lessons with video analysis, three gourmet meals a day, nightly hors d'oeuvres, complimentary round-trip airport transfers (minimal stay required), local chauffeuring, and daily adventures. — Brandon Withrow, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026

Hausmann-Virgil noted frequent house parties, invitations to share cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and Christmas celebrations. — Richard Lane, Des Moines Register, 20 Apr. 2026

Light bites came courtesy of charcuterie stations and passed hors d'oeuvres like sips of tomato gazpacho. — Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026

There was an open bar with two signature drinks – The Bubbly Rose, which featured blackberry, seltzer and vodka, and a red sangria – hors d'oeuvres and background music from a jazz trio made up of members of the Bluewater Kings Band, who would play the reception. — Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French hors-d'œuvre, literally, outside of the work

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hors d'oeuvre

• conserve
• deserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve
• curve
• mirv
• nerve
• serve
• swerve

Kids Definition

hors d'oeuvre

noun

ȯr-ˈdərv 

plural hors d'oeuvres also hors d'oeuvre -ˈdərv(z) 

: any of various tasty foods usually served as appetizers

Etymology

from French hors-d'œuvre "appetizers," from the phrase hors d'œuvre, literally, "outside of work"