appetizer

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "appetizer" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to a small dish or snack served before a meal to stimulate appetite. For example, "We started the meal with a delicious garlic shrimp appetizer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet while Santiago offers an intriguing and easy introduction to the country, it is nothing more than an appetizer for the main courses to be found elsewhere.

The Guardian - Travel

Related: Rick Perry has Seals of approval as Republicans seek Iowa veterans' votes The appetizer at Joni Ernst's Roast and Ride on Saturday afternoon may have been grilled pork, but the main course was red meat.

The Guardian

In the United States raw celery is served with spreads or dips as an appetizer and in salads.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As in much of the Mediterranean world, the appetizer, or meze, in Cyprus plays a central role, often taking the place of the entrée.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hungrvaka ("The Appetizer") contains accounts of the lives of the first five bishops of Skálholt, from the mid-11th century to the third quarter of the 12th century; the biographies of other prominent bishops are in the Biskupa sǫgur.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Antipasto, in Italian cuisine, a first course or appetizer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hors d'oeuvres, small portions of savoury foods, often highly seasoned, and canapés, small pieces of bread, crackers, or croutons with various toppings, are the classic appetizer categories.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was devised in northern England in the mid-18th century as a cheap and filling appetizer that was served prior to the pricier main meat dish of beef or mutton.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Scandinavian smorgasbord, Spanish tapas, Greek meze, Egyptian mazza, and Russian zakuska are all elaborate appetizer displays offering many dishes, with traditional beverage counterpoints, e.g., vodka or sherry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The children were allotted ten minutes to eat their veggie appetizer.

Independent

Rolls and colleagues tested their findings by serving a lunch with or without a carrot appetizer to 51 daycare children at four different times and measured the amount of vegetables consumed.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an "appetizer" on a menu, use descriptive adjectives to highlight its flavor profile and presentation. For example, "crispy calamari appetizer with spicy aioli".

Common error

Avoid simply calling something an "appetizer" without providing any details. Instead, focus on what makes the dish unique and appealing to potential diners.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "appetizer" is as a noun. It refers to a small dish or snack served before a meal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and accepted term in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "appetizer" is a noun denoting a food item served before a meal to stimulate hunger. Ludwig AI confirms its proper and common use in English. It is very common in various contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias. When writing about food, use descriptive adjectives to enhance your descriptions. As demonstrated in the examples, "appetizer" functions effectively across various registers, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for both casual and formal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starter

A more general term for the first course of a meal.

hors d'oeuvre

Suggests a small, often elaborate, and savory dish served before a meal.

antipasto

Specifically refers to an Italian appetizer course.

tapas

Small Spanish savory dishes, typically served with drinks at a bar.

small plate

Emphasizes the size and portion of the dish.

meze

A selection of small dishes served as appetizers in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, and Balkans.

finger food

Highlights that the food is designed to be eaten without utensils.

amuse-bouche

A small, complimentary appetizer offered at some restaurants.

pre-dinner snack

Focuses on the timing and purpose of the food.

relish

Implies a savory food eaten to add flavor or enjoyment to a meal.

FAQs

What is the purpose of serving an appetizer?

An appetizer is served before the main course to stimulate the appetite and provide a small amount of food to enjoy while waiting for the rest of the meal.

What are some common examples of appetizers?

Common appetizers include things like "bruschetta", "spring rolls", "cheese and crackers", and "mini quiches".

How many appetizers should I serve at a party?

The number of appetizers depends on the length of the party and whether you'll be serving a main meal. Generally, aim for 3-5 different appetizers for a cocktail party or as a precursor to a main meal.

Can "appetizer" be used interchangeably with "starter"?

While "appetizer" and "starter" are often used interchangeably, "starter" is more common in British English. In American English, "appetizer" is the more prevalent term.