appetizers

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralAmerican

   Small dishes served before the main course of a meal, or at a party, to start the eating.

   Grammar: Plural of appetizer: we ordered two appetizers.

   Patterns

   • appetizers before something
   • appetizers for the table

   We ordered two appetizers to share before the main course.

   The party had a table of cold appetizers and dips.

   Appetizers were served while guests arrived.

2. 2nounplural

   Small foods or drinks meant to stir up hunger before a meal.

   Grammar: Plural form used for any items taken to whet appetite.

   Salty nuts work well as appetizers because they make people thirsty.

   Some cultures serve bitter drinks as appetizers.

   The chef sent out little appetizers to open the evening.

Word forms

Common combinations

order appetizers

Let us order appetizers while we wait.

serve appetizers

We serve appetizers before dinner.

cold appetizers

The cold appetizers included smoked salmon.

appetizers and drinks

The reception offered appetizers and drinks.

share appetizers

They shared appetizers and talked for hours.

Synonyms and how they differ

starters

Starters is the common British word, and appetizers is the usual American one.

hors d'oeuvres

Hors d'oeuvres sounds more formal and usually means small bites passed at parties.

canapés

Canapés are tiny bite-sized snacks on a base, a narrower type than appetizers.

Opposites

Word family

appetizer noun

one such dish

appetizing adjective

looking or smelling delicious

appetite noun

the desire for food

appetize verb

rare; to stimulate the appetite

Commonly confused: appetizers or entrees?

Practice

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