An hors d'oeuvre, appetizer or starter is a small dish served before a meal in European cuisine. Some hors d'oeuvres are served cold, others hot. Hors d'oeuvres may be served at the dinner table as a part of the meal, or they may be served before seating, such as at a reception or cocktail party.

What does the term appetizer mean?

1 : a food or drink that stimulates the appetite and is usually served before a meal The appetizers included shrimp with cocktail sauce, vegetables and dips, cheeses, and fruits. 2 : something that stimulates a desire for more a literary appetizer hoped that the short trip would be an appetizer for longer ones.

What is appetizer and example?

The definition of an appetizer is a small portion of food before a meal to stimulate the appetite. An example of an appetizer would be a plate of nachos ordered before a main course. ... (usually in the plural) A small, light, and usually savory first course in a meal.