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
Shop our favorite finds, including dinner plates, bowls, appetizer platters, and even darling salt and pepper shakers from the Southern Living Dillard’s collection, Williams Sonoma, MacKenzie- Childs, and Amazon.
—
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
The event begins at 6 p.m. with a welcome reception with wine, cocktails and small appetizers, followed by a seated Italian feast from 7- 9 p.m. Tickets to the dinner are $375 per person and can be purchased at tinyurl.com/2xyjtvb6.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Colorful tile tables are also making a comeback along with the Awesome Blossom onion appetizer, which was pulled from menus in 2008.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Each ticket is $35 and includes two drink vouchers and appetizers by Ripkas Beach Café.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for appetizer
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.
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
The event begins at 6 p.m. with a welcome reception with wine, cocktails and small appetizers, followed by a seated Italian feast from 7- 9 p.m. Tickets to the dinner are $375 per person and can be purchased at tinyurl.com/2xyjtvb6.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Colorful tile tables are also making a comeback along with the Awesome Blossom onion appetizer, which was pulled from menus in 2008.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Each ticket is $35 and includes two drink vouchers and appetizers by Ripkas Beach Café.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 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 8 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share