appetizer
noun
ap·pe·tiz·er
ˈa-pə-ˌtī-zər 
1
: a food or drink that stimulates the appetite and is usually served before a meal
The appetizers included shrimp with cocktail sauce, vegetables and dips, cheeses, and fruits.
2
: something that stimulates a desire for more
a literary appetizer
hoped that the short trip would be an appetizer for longer ones
Examples of appetizer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The latter ingredient is served as an almost chicken wing-like seafood appetizer and helps Fanny Bay honor its commitment to serving a sustainable catch.
—
Jennifer Cunningham, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
The Italian chopped salad at The Davidson, Downtown The Parisian-style brasserie from Thunderdome Restaurant Group strikes gold with this bitter, briny and nutty salad that's just as much an entree as an appetizer.
—Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 15 July 2025
Turn your favorite Southern party appetizer into dinner tonight.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
So long, farewell: 25 restaurants, bars have closed or moved so far in Louisville in 2025
592 N. English Station Road
The sports bar and music venue boast an array of shareable appetizers, gourmet burgers, pizzas, soups, salads, and more.
—Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for appetizer
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Jennifer Cunningham, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
The Italian chopped salad at The Davidson, Downtown The Parisian-style brasserie from Thunderdome Restaurant Group strikes gold with this bitter, briny and nutty salad that's just as much an entree as an appetizer.
—Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 15 July 2025
Turn your favorite Southern party appetizer into dinner tonight.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
So long, farewell: 25 restaurants, bars have closed or moved so far in Louisville in 2025
592 N. English Station Road
The sports bar and music venue boast an array of shareable appetizers, gourmet burgers, pizzas, soups, salads, and more.
—Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for appetizer
Cite this Entry
“Appetizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appetizer. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
appetizer
noun
ap·pe·tiz·er
ˈap-ə-ˌtī-zər
1
: a food or drink usually served before a meal to make one hungrier
2
: something that creates a desire for more
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