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
  • Samba's body has been sent to the University of California, Davis, for a necropsy, which could provide more information about why the bites proved fatal.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Beyond the bites, of course, these and other vendors will be selling dishes that capture flavors from across the continent.
    — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of bites
Noun
  • Just a larger than life figure whose influence transcended generations, musical tastes, and political lines.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Chains are using the same flexible format to serve different tastes and occasions, from energy to indulgence.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of tastes
Noun
  • The 6-foot, 220-pound North Carolina product gained 737 yards from scrimmage and had five touchdowns in 156 touches — 124 rushes and 32 receptions.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Some setups are coordinated down to the colors and the finest decorative touches.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of touches
Noun
  • Fifth-round selection Jaden Dugger is still a raw product coming out of Louisiana, but the 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker is getting opportunities in practice to try his hand at a variety of spots.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • That storm dumped torrential rain — more than 3 feet in spots on the windward side of the island — that triggered damaging landslides and flash flooding that cut off small communities, destroyed homes and damaged critical infrastructure.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 22 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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