Entrée: meaning, definitions and examples

'Entrance' is used for both the action of entering and the place where one enters. It can refer to buildings, events, or performances.

• They made a grand entrance at the wedding.
• The entrance to the museum was crowded.

Use 'doorway' to refer to the physical space that you walk through to enter a room or building.

• She stood in the doorway, waiting for someone to notice her.
• He paused in the doorway, contemplating whether to go inside.

'Gateway' often signifies a large or main entrance, and can also metaphorically refer to a means of access to something larger or more important.

• The old castle had a massive stone gateway.
• Education can be a gateway to a better future.

'Portal' has a somewhat formal or literary connotation and is used to describe large, impressive doorways or metaphorical entry points, often in the context of technology or fantasy.

• They stepped through the ancient portal into a different world.
• The website serves as a portal to all our services.

In British English, it can also mean a small dish served before the main course, similar to 'starter' or 'appetizer'.

• The chef prepared a light entrée of seafood salad.
• For the entrée, we were served a delicate soup.

Used to describe a small dish served before the main course to stimulate the appetite.

• We ordered some bruschetta as an appetizer.
• The appetizers were so good that everyone had seconds.

Commonly used in British English to refer to a small dish served before the main course.

• I decided to have the prawn cocktail as my starter.
• The starters on the menu looked very appetizing.

Used to describe the first part of a multi-course meal, typically light and intended to prepare the palate for the upcoming dishes.

• The first course was a fresh garden salad.
• As the first course, we were served a delicious tomato soup.