appetizer
Meal's first bite
An appetizer is a small portion of food served before the main course of a meal, intended to stimulate the appetite: We ordered bruschetta and calamari as appetizers.
The term extends to anything that whets interest in what follows: The trailer was just an appetizer for the film.
British English prefers starter.
Grilled bread with toppings
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- canapéTopped bite-sized appetizer
- cruditéRaw vegetable appetizer
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
tapas · meze · ceviche · nachos · quesadilla · samosa · tempura · falafel
Need for nourishment
- cravingPowerful urge to have
- peckishMildly hungry
- whetMake cutting edge keener
- anticipationState of awaiting something
palate cleanser · starter · first course · prelude · teaser · snack · nibble · taste
Fattened waterfowl liver
- caviarCured fish eggs
- trufflePrized subterranean edible
- sashimiThinly sliced raw fish
- crudoRaw fish preparation
amuse-bouche · tasting menu · degustation · artisanal · chef's choice · fine dining · presentation · gastronomy
Mixed collection of things
- samplerSelection for trying
- selectionChosen item or items
- charcuterie boardArranged cured meat display
- cruditésRaw vegetable appetizer
cheese plate · mezze platter · antipasto platter · tasting · variety · buffet · spread · dips
Uncooked cured Italian ham
- salamiCured, seasoned sausage
- chorizoSpiced Spanish pork sausage
- pastramiSeasoned smoked beef
- loxSalt-cured salmon
smoked salmon · coppa · soppressata · gravlax · speck · pepperoni · mortadella · pancetta
Drinks-focused social gathering
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- minglingCasual social interaction
- entertainingProviding amusement or enjoyment
host · guests · buffet · catering · soiree · hospitality · function · happy hour
bruschetta
Grilled bread with toppings
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- canapéTopped bite-sized appetizer
- cruditéRaw vegetable appetizer
antipasto · tapas · meze · ceviche · nachos · quesadilla · samosa · tempura · falafel · pakora
hunger
Need for nourishment
anticipation · palate cleanser · starter · first course · prelude · teaser · snack · nibble · taste · morsel
foie gras
Fattened waterfowl liver
crudo · amuse-bouche · tasting menu · degustation · artisanal · chef's choice · fine dining · presentation · gastronomy · epicurean
assortment
Mixed collection of things
- samplerSelection for trying
- selectionChosen item or items
- charcuterie boardArranged cured meat display
crudités · cheese plate · mezze platter · antipasto platter · tasting · variety · buffet · spread · dips · nibbles
prosciutto
Uncooked cured Italian ham
lox · smoked salmon · coppa · soppressata · gravlax · speck · pepperoni · mortadella · pancetta · charcuterie
cocktail party
Drinks-focused social gathering
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- minglingCasual social interaction
entertaining · host · guests · buffet · catering · soiree · hospitality · function · happy hour · networking
- diningrestaurant, menu, waiter, servers, waitress
- restaurant fareburger, burrito, chicken, curry, enchiladas
- restaurantsmenu, chef, reservations, table service, waitstaff
- dining servicewaiter, waitress, server, waitstaff, hostess
- foodmeat, fish, meats, burger, casserole
- dinner timesupper, evening meal, family dinner, main course, dessert
appetizerdessert
Sweet course after dinner
nightcap · digestif · cheese course · main course · entrée
appetizermain course
Primary dish served
entrée · main dish · meal · feast · hearty meal
- fried appetizer
- appetizer plateDish for pre-meal bites
- appetizer platterShared first-course selection
- free appetizerUnpaid opening dish
- appetizer trayDish for small starters
- appetizer samplerVariety of small pre-meal dishes