hors d'oeuvres

noun

variants also hors d'oeuvre
plural of hors d'oeuvre
as in bites
a food served in small portions before the main part of a meal a tray of assorted hors d'oeuvres

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hors d'oeuvres 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 Both anchovy paste and tomato paste can add depth to dressings, sauces, and pasta dishes; sherry vinegar is ideal for vinaigrettes and glazes; a jar of capers can elevate simple hors d'oeuvres; and chili sambals can bring the heat to eggs, marinades, and stir-fries. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026 Prepare hors d'oeuvres and invite family members over for a rocking New Year's Eve gathering to reflect on the past year — and to set goals for the upcoming year together. — Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 29 Dec. 2025 Although the invitation stated that hors d'oeuvres will be provided, the Redditor doesn't believe that meets formal wedding expectations. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025 Enjoy live music and hors d'oeuvres along the way. — Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Dec. 2025 Have each course center on a classic fall produce type, from hors d'oeuvres to the main dish. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025 For hors d'oeuvres, highlights include tuna carpaccio, French onion soup, steak tartare and the escargot and foie gras parfait that Starr loves. — Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hors d'oeuvres
  1. bites
  2. tastes
  3. touches
  4. spots
Noun
  • Outside, the striped umbrellas and wicker bistro chairs on the sidewalk terrazzo are an easy invitation to aperitivo and small bites like truffle arancini.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat, produces an oral burning sensation that makes people pause longer between bites.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Definition of bites
Noun
  • The channel initially focused on rock music, reflecting both the tastes of its founders and the limited number of videos available.
    — Kara Rogers Britannica Editors July 21, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026
  • Christie’s, as always, is willing to adapt to the tastes of their clients, but the auction house also has multiple strategies for wooing tech wealth and trying to convert them to fine art.
    — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of tastes
Noun
  • Here’s an outpost of a chain with some extremely personal, local touches.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • In a match where scoring opportunities were limited, Denver Summit FC was held to one shot on goal despite 35 touches in the box.
    — Nate Peterson, Denver Post, 27 July 2026
Definition of touches
Noun
  • Flock cameras have been in the area for some time, located in high traffic spots.
    — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • Miami now will turn its attention to filling three open roster spots, with former Kings forward Demar DeRozan among the logical options.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
Definition of spots

Browse Nearby Words

hors d'oeuvre
hors d'oeuvres
horse
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hors d'oeuvres.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hors%20d%27oeuvres. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on hors d'oeuvres

Nglish: Translation of hors d'oeuvres for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All