hors-d'oeuvres
Pre-dinner finger food
Hors-d'oeuvres are small savory foods served before a meal or passed at parties—bite-sized items meant to stimulate the appetite without filling you up.
The term is French, literally "outside the work," suggesting these morsels fall outside the main meal.
The caterer prepared an assortment of hors-d'oeuvres.
In casual American speech, often simplified to *appetizers* or avoided entirely because of spelling and pronunciation challenges.
Topped bite-sized appetizer
- bruschettaGrilled bread with toppings
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- bliniSlavic buckwheat cakes
- tartletSmall pastry shell
vol-au-vent · pâté · terrine · carpaccio · ceviche · dim sum · mezze · tapas
Drinks-focused social gathering
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- minglingCasual social interaction
- hostessFemale event organizer
tray · napkin · toothpick · passed · circulating · guests · soirée · buffet
Initiator of action
- appetizerLight dish preceding main
- first courseInitial dish served
- amuse-boucheComplimentary chef's tasting bite
- aperitivoPre-dinner drink ritual
entrée · prelude · tasting · palate · whet · appetite · multicourse · formal dining
canapé
Topped bite-sized appetizer
- bruschettaGrilled bread with toppings
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- bliniSlavic buckwheat cakes
tartlet · vol-au-vent · pâté · terrine · carpaccio · ceviche · dim sum · mezze · tapas · antipasti
cocktail party
Drinks-focused social gathering
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- minglingCasual social interaction
hostess · tray · napkin · toothpick · passed · circulating · guests · soirée · buffet · entertaining
starter
Initiator of action
- appetizerLight dish preceding main
- first courseInitial dish served
- amuse-boucheComplimentary chef's tasting bite
aperitivo · entrée · prelude · tasting · palate · whet · appetite · multicourse · formal dining · menu
plating
Surface metal application
- garnishDecorative food topping
- presentationFormal display to viewers
- bite-sizedSmall enough for one mouthful
toothpick · skewered · piped · arranged · chilled · assembled · rolled · wrapped · stuffed · layered
hors-d'oeuvresmain course
Primary dish served
entrée · main dish · dessert · main · second course
hors-d'oeuvresfeast
Elaborate ceremonial meal
hearty meal · square meal · main course · repast · banquet