plural amuse-bouches also amuses-bouches ə-ˈmyüz-büsh How to pronounce amuse-bouche (audio)
-ˈbü-shəz,
ˈä-ˌmüz-ˈbüsh How to pronounce amuse-bouche (audio)
-ˈbü-shəz,
-ˌmᵫz-
: a small complimentary appetizer offered at some restaurants

Examples of amuse-bouche in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Couples enjoying dinner at Papaya Club Feb. 14-15 can enjoy a complimentary oyster amuse-bouche. Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025 These ladies are just a few of the 1,000-plus dogs who powered through the two-day American Kennel Club Meet the Breeds extravaganza, the country’s largest canine convention, which serves as a kind of amuse-bouche for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in mid-February. Chloe Malle, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2025 Noisette is providing a three-course dinner with an additional amuse-bouche to start and petit fours to finish for $164.70 per person, including a 22% service charge. Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025 The meal starts with an amuse-bouche of buckwheat blini topped with Osetra caviar and crème fraîche. Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 The evening will begin with an amuse-bouche, followed by a choice of antipasti, pasta, and main courses like the Filetto alla Rossini or Turbot with champagne sauce, finishing with a savory chestnut mousse. Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 If a bold—but not brash—statement is your aim, using Mocha Mousse as an amuse-bouche accent wall adds a pop of sophisticated vibrancy while creating bite-sized moments of joy. Tim Nelson, Architectural Digest, 5 Dec. 2024 But these limited-time offers are just the beginning—and an amuse-bouche for the avalanche of deals that await on the site. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 Dec. 2024 Guests can start with an amuse-bouche of deviled eggs, plus the popular High Stakes Grill potato rolls and house fall salad for the table. Jenny Porter Tilley, The Courier-Journal, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, (it) entertains (the) mouth

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amuse-bouche was in 1959

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near amuse-bouche

Cite this Entry

“Amuse-bouche.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amuse-bouche. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on amuse-bouche

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!