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

Guests can dine on Thanksgiving classics including hors d'oeuvres, a turkey accompanied by traditional sides and a selection of deserts. —Brittany Talarico, Peoplemag, 30 Oct. 2023

Game nights, friendly rounds of croquet, and murder mystery dinner parties are all elevated with this compact hors d'oeuvres server. —Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2023

At the cocktail hour, the couple had a flatbread station, a cheese station and hors d'oeuvres including shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon crostini, beef Wellington and oysters on the half shell. —Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 24 Oct. 2023

The event will begin at 5 p.m. with drinks, light hors d'oeuvres, and information about the ARTx3 campus initiative. —Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2023

While the recipe calls for serving two kabobs as a main dish, one kabob per person brings a filling option to the hors d'oeuvres table. —Wini Moranville, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2023

The evening opens with a cocktail reception, food stations and passed hors d'oeuvres at 6 p.m., with the program following at 7 p.m. Guests attending the event will get an exclusive first-look at Phase 1 updates on the event level of Cintas Center. —Shelby Dermer, The Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2023

Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, performance by Revolution Dance Theater and presentation by featured artist Lars Jan. Afterparty from 8-11 p.m. on The Rooftop at 21c. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2023

These tomatoes are so versatile, they can be served as petite hors d'oeuvres, an elegant appetizer, or a fresh side dish. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined above

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"