appetizer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral (used in both formal and informal contexts)
Quick answer
What does “appetizer” mean?
A small dish of food or a drink served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small dish of food or a drink served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.
Anything that arouses anticipation, interest, or desire for something to follow, such as a preliminary event or piece of information.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'starter' is the dominant, everyday term. 'Appetizer' is understood but is often perceived as more American or formal. In American English, 'appetizer' is standard; 'starter' is rarely used.
Connotations
In the UK, 'appetizer' can sound slightly pretentious or deliberately American. In the US, it is neutral and standard.
Frequency
'Appetizer' is high-frequency in AmE, medium-frequency in BrE where 'starter' is preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “appetizer” in a Sentence
NP + BE + appetizer + to NP (This dish is an appetizer to the main course.)NP + serve + NP + as + an appetizer (We served bruschetta as an appetizer.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “appetizer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A (not standard).
American English
- N/A (not standard).
adverb
British English
- N/A.
American English
- N/A.
adjective
British English
- N/A (not standard). The related adjective is 'appetizing'.
American English
- N/A (not standard). The related adjective is 'appetizing'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in restaurant, catering, and food service contexts (e.g., 'Our appetizer sales have increased.').
Academic
Rare; might appear in culinary or cultural studies texts.
Everyday
Common in social dining contexts, menus, and planning meals.
Technical
Used in professional cookery and menu engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “appetizer”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “appetizer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “appetizer”
- Using 'appetizer' to refer to a dessert. Misspelling as 'appetiser' (BrE variant) or 'apetizer'. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'Let's appetizer first' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are synonyms, but regional: 'starter' is standard in British English; 'appetizer' is standard in American English.
Essentially yes, but 'hors d'oeuvre' is a more formal term, often referring to smaller, bite-sized items served before a meal or at a cocktail party.
Yes. It can describe anything that introduces or stimulates interest in something larger (e.g., 'The first chapter is an appetizer for the thrilling story').
No. An appetizer is specifically designed to be eaten before the main course as part of a sequenced meal.
A small dish of food or a drink served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.
Appetizer is usually neutral (used in both formal and informal contexts) in register.
Appetizer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæp.ɪ.taɪ.zər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæp.əˌtaɪ.zɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] 'just an appetizer' (a small initial part of a larger experience).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of APPETIZER → it WHETS your APPETITE before the main meal.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGINNINGS ARE APPETIZERS (The start of something prepares you for the main part).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most commonly used in everyday British English for 'appetizer'?