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
And just like that, an appetizer exploded into legend.
—
David Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025
And the film worked all too well as an appetizer, since the festival only showed Part 1 of what is, in fact, a two-part HBO documentary.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 June 2025
This is a delicious and vibrant appetizer that also serves as a perfect side dish for nearly any entrée.
—Randy Graham, Oc Register, 3 June 2025
That’s certainly true for one of my favorite appetizer recipes, which was created and made famous right in my hometown of Mobile, Alabama.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for appetizer
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David Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025
And the film worked all too well as an appetizer, since the festival only showed Part 1 of what is, in fact, a two-part HBO documentary.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 June 2025
This is a delicious and vibrant appetizer that also serves as a perfect side dish for nearly any entrée.
—Randy Graham, Oc Register, 3 June 2025
That’s certainly true for one of my favorite appetizer recipes, which was created and made famous right in my hometown of Mobile, Alabama.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 26 May 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 17 Jun. 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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