Word
appetizer
Phoneticsap·pe·tiz·er, stress on the first syllable
/ˈæpəˌtaɪzɝ/
UK spelling · appetiser
Definition
n. a small dish served before a main meal to make you hungry. You usually eat these while you are waiting for the main course.
n. a small dish or snack served before a main meal to stimulate the appetite. Often used in the plural to refer to the entire course.
Examples
“The restaurant offers a delicious seafood appetizer.”
“We ordered a plate of olives and cheese as an appetizer while we waited for the main course.”
“The chef prepared a sophisticated appetizer featuring smoked salmon and a delicate dill cream, designed to complement the forthcoming main dishes.”
Examples
simple
“The restaurant offers a delicious seafood appetizer.”
contextual
“We ordered a plate of olives and cheese as an appetizer while we waited for the main course.”
complex
“The chef prepared a sophisticated appetizer featuring smoked salmon and a delicate dill cream, designed to complement the forthcoming main dishes.”
Etymology
From appetize + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/appetizer