appetiser

USAGE SUMMARY

'appetiser' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun that means a small dish of food served before a meal to stimulate a person's appetite. For example, "We were served a delicious appetiser of bruschetta before our main course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thomasina Miers, Chilli Notes (Hodder and Stoughton) Quick and easy does it with this appetiser – sauteed cauliflower makes an excellent backdrop for a shower of chilli.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many considered it an appetiser for an unusually engrossing Japanese election campaign.

The Economist

He welcomed a recent directive allowing more flexible hiring by employers, but said that was just an "appetiser" for real labour reform.

The Economist

That encourages the growth of planktonic algae, and thus of everything that feeds on such plankton, or feeds on what feeds on them including jellyfish, and also various molluscs and crustacea that loggerheads enjoy as an appetiser.

The Economist

And those who have been asking of stem-cell science, "Where's the beef?", have been served what is, at least, an appetiser.

The Economist

Consider this an appetiser.

The Economist

Dim sum makes for a tasty appetiser.

The Economist

There was at first a slight whiff of "before the Lord Mayor's Show" about the afternoon's first semi-final on Centre Court, with almost everyone in the crowd, and even initially in the BBC commentary box, treating the match as an appetiser before Murray v Nadal.

Independent

Turn over to More 4 at 10pm for the final episode of Heston's Christmas Feast, where he'll be rustling up one of King Charles II's favourite Christmas meals- an appetiser made of whale vomit!

Independent

They're still high from "appetiser" gigs at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Glasgow and Newcastle's St James Parkk last month.

Independent

The appetiser will be seafood stew, while the main course is to be "a brace of American birds".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about food, consider using more descriptive adjectives to enhance the appeal of the "appetiser", such as "tantalizing", "savory", or "refreshing".

Common error

Avoid using the word "appetiser" metaphorically if it creates confusion or sounds unnatural. In non-food contexts, consider using alternatives like "prelude", "introduction", or "precursor" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "appetiser" is as a noun. It refers to a small dish or portion of food served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and usable. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in various contexts, primarily related to food and dining.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Travel

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appetiser" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun, primarily associated with culinary contexts but also applicable metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its role in describing a preliminary dish or event. Its usage spans across various domains, but is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Travel, as evidenced by the examples from Ludwig. While a neutral term, its descriptive power can be enhanced by using vivid adjectives to portray the "appetiser" in question. Remember to be cautious when extending it metaphorically to avoid sounding unnatural; in such cases, alternatives like prelude or introduction might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starter

Focuses on the beginning aspect of a meal, similar to an appetiser.

hors d'oeuvre

A more formal term for a small dish served before a meal.

amuse-bouche

A small, complimentary appetiser offered at some restaurants.

preliminary course

Emphasizes the role as a preceding part of a meal.

small bite

Highlights the size of the portion.

taster

Focuses on the aspect of sampling a small portion.

before the meal

Describes the timing of when it is served.

opening act

Metaphorically refers to something that comes before the main event.

warm-up

Similar to opening act, implies preparation for something larger.

initial offering

Focuses on the aspect of being the first thing provided.

FAQs

How can I use "appetiser" in a sentence?

You can use "appetiser" to describe a small dish served before a meal, such as "We started the meal with a delicious "bruschetta" as an appetiser".

What are some synonyms for "appetiser"?

Some synonyms for "appetiser" include "starter", "hors d'oeuvre", and "amuse-bouche".

Is "appetiser" different from "appetizer"?

"Appetiser" is the British English spelling, while "appetizer" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but use the spelling appropriate for your audience.

Can "appetiser" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "appetiser" can be used metaphorically to describe something that precedes and stimulates interest in something larger or more substantial, similar to a "prelude" or an "introduction".