meze

[ mez-e, me-ze ]

noun

, plural me·zes, me·ze.

1. several small dishes served as an appetizer or with alcoholic drinks, or as a light meal.
2. any one dish of this type.

meze

/ ˈmɛzɛ /

noun

1. a type of hors d'oeuvre eaten esp with an apéritif or other drink in Greece and the Near East

Word History and Origins

Origin of meze¹

First recorded in 1900–05; from modern Greek mezés, from Turkish meze, “appetizer, snack,” from Persian maze, maza “flavor, relish”

Word History and Origins

Origin of meze¹

C20: from Turkish meze snack, appetizer

Example Sentences

At Aba in Bal Harbour, the laid-back Middle Eastern mini chain from the Chicago-based hospitality group Lettuce Entertain You, where cold meze and kebabs dominate the menu, there are little wooden stools for bags.

From Seattle Times

The tables are big enough for you and your friends, gathered around to share a plate of meze.

From Literature

Scoop this up with warm pita bread and eat it alongside other meze, or with soft-boiled eggs for a hearty breakfast.

From Salon

It's also a frequent member of the salatim, or salads, in a meze spread you'd find at a Mediterranean restaurant.

From Salon

Mix it with water or serve over ice as an aperitif, and accompany with traditional meze, especially dishes that include parsley, raw tomato, garlic, lemon, and mint.

From Salon