appetizer
/ˈæp.ɪ.taɪ.zər/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A small dish served before the main meal to stimulate the appetite. It is often lighter than the main course.
- We ordered an appetizer before dinner.
- The soup was a cold appetizer.
- These appetizers are perfect for sharing.
Adinary Nuance
An appetizer is usually a small first dish, not the whole starter section of a menu. It is closer to British English starter than to snack, because it is part of a meal. Use appetizer when food is served before the main course, not just eaten any time.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- món khai vị
- Spanish
- aperitivo
- Chinese
- 开胃菜
- Japanese
- 前菜
- Korean
- 애피타이저
Etymology
Appetizer comes from the verb appetite, from Latin appetitus, meaning 'a desire for food'. It entered English in the late 19th century.
Common phrases
an appetizer platterorder appetizersserve appetizersappetizer menu
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is appetizer the same as starter?
- Yes, in many cases. Starter is more common in British English, while appetizer is more common in American English.
- Is appetizer a formal word?
- It is neutral and common in restaurants, menus, and everyday speech.
- Can I use appetizer for snacks at home?
- Only if they are served before a meal. For random eating, snack is better.