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

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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
  • People can write about changing tastes, but as characters that grow and evolve through the decades, there are none better than the Marvel characters — and none better than Peter Parker.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The lesson from prior endeavors is that new markets aren’t won by adapting a product to suit local tastes.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of tastes
Noun
  • Though guests will love the home’s open-concept layout, gourmet kitchen, and modern touches, the great outdoors are the main draw.
    — Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Overlooking the city and the Baltic Sea, the Presidential Suite includes touches like chandeliers and a private sauna.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of touches
Noun
  • Joe Mack and Xavier Edwards added RBI singles later in the fifth for the Marlins, who began the day 2 1/2 games behind Philadelphia and Arizona for the final two NL playoff spots.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The government leases only 48,000 square feet and 29 parking spots in the 350,000-square-foot property, and the lease does not extend to the place where prosecutors say Morrow and Stanley encountered officers, the defense attorneys maintain.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of spots

Browse Nearby Words

hors d'oeuvre
hors d'oeuvres
horse
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Cite this Entry

“Hors d'oeuvres.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hors%20d%27oeuvres. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hors d'oeuvres

Nglish: Translation of hors d'oeuvres for Spanish Speakers

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