starter
n. countable A2 Elementary US //ˈstɑɹtɝ// UK //stˈɑːtɐ// starter
n. a small dish of food that you eat at the beginning of a meal before the main course.
n. a small portion of food served as the first course of a meal. Often used in British English to refer to what American speakers call an appetizer.
I ordered a soup as a starter.
The restaurant offers a wide variety of hot and cold starters including garlic bread and calamari.
While the main course was certainly impressive, the delicate balance of flavors in the seafood starter remained the highlight of the entire evening for most guests.
From start + -er.
Usage
Commonly used in British English; synonymous with 'appetizer' in North American contexts.