Appetizer: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to a small dish served before a main meal in general contexts, especially in American English.

• The chef prepared a delicious appetizer of shrimp cocktail.
• We ordered a few appetizers to share before our main courses arrived.

Use in British English to denote a small dish served before the main meal.

• For our starter, we had a light soup before moving on to the main course.
• The restaurant's starters included a variety of salads and seafood options.

Use when referring specifically to Italian cuisine; it often includes a selection of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and vegetables.

• The waiter brought a beautifully arranged antipasto platter with prosciutto, salami, and marinated vegetables.
• We started our meal with an antipasto, enjoying the variety of flavors and textures.

Use in casual situations where food is eaten with fingers, often at parties or gatherings.

• The party had a great selection of finger foods, including sliders and mini quiches.
• For the game night, we prepared an array of finger foods like chicken wings and cheese sticks.