appetizer

[ ap-i-tahy-zer ]

noun

1. a small portion of a food or drink served before or at the beginning of a meal to stimulate the desire to eat.
2. any small portion that stimulates a desire for more or that indicates more is to follow:

   The first game was an appetizer to a great football season.

appetizer

/ ˈæpɪˌtaɪzə /

noun

1. a small amount of food or drink taken to stimulate the appetite
2. any stimulating foretaste

Word History and Origins

Origin of appetizer¹

First recorded in 1860–65; appetiz(ing) + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Subtle and delicious, this wine is great by itself, but it also benefits from lighter seafood dishes or salty appetizers.

From Washington Post

My initial inclination, partly to support struggling dining establishments, was to suggest she and like-minded customers opt instead for a light appetizer or two.

From Washington Post

Embrace appetizersAt home, we usually reserve appetizers for holidays, but having a li’l somethin’ before the main meal is an easy way to upgrade any weeknight dinner.

From Popular-Science

The appetizers run good-to-great, but when I think about going back, it’s for charred cabbage layered with shaved pineapple.

From Washington Post

Here, that swoon-worthy oreganata topping graduates from appetizer to main course as the highlight of a quick sheet-pan dinner.

From Washington Post

We were barely into the appetizer when he asked a fairly basic question—where did my family live?

From The Daily Beast

Picking at an appetizer veggie platter is a good option as well.

From The Daily Beast

And that was just the appetizer portion of what was served up at CPAC.

From The Daily Beast

A senior regime official warned several days ago: “What you are seeing is the appetizer: the main course is yet to come.”

From The Daily Beast

And he can tell them this deal is a mere appetizer for the huge cuts to come in 2013, when Republicans occupy the White House.

From The Daily Beast

"No, that would only serve as an appetizer," answered David.

From Project Gutenberg

Having worked all day and perhaps having walked home, the Parisian saves a half hour before dinner for his appetizer.

From Project Gutenberg

As an appetizer the toasted cheese on toasted bread was excellent, but the supper—if she had only let him get it.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, no better appetizer to serve at the beginning of a meal can be found.

From Project Gutenberg

They are served either hot or cold as an appetizer or as a first course for lunch or dinner.

From Project Gutenberg