hors d'oeuvre
Small starter dish
Hors d'oeuvre is a small portion of food served before or outside the main meal—an appetizer.
The French literally means "outside the work," suggesting something apart from the serious business of dining.
At parties, hors d'oeuvres circulate on trays or sit on tables for guests to graze: She passed a tray of hors d'oeuvres.
The plural may be hors d'oeuvres or hors d'oeuvre.
Topped bite-sized appetizer
- bruschettaGrilled bread with toppings
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
- mezzeMiddle Eastern small dishes
tapas · crudité · charcuterie · hummus · guacamole · dip · olives · pâté
canapé
Topped bite-sized appetizer
- bruschettaGrilled bread with toppings
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
mezze · tapas · crudité · charcuterie · hummus · guacamole · dip · olives · pâté · nachos
amuse-bouche
Complimentary chef's tasting bite
blini · vol-au-vent · escargot · tartare · sashimi · ceviche · carpaccio · oyster · gravlax · terrine
reception
Act of receiving guests
- soiréeFormal nighttime social gathering
- cateringSupplying prepared meals professionally
- platterLarge flat serving dish
buffet · gathering · entertaining · host · mingling · banquet · gala · wedding
- French cuisinebaguette, croissant, coq au vin, crepe suzette, croissants
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- appetizersmozzarella sticks, canapes, bruschetta, buffalo wings, nachos
- international foodssushi, ramen, tofu, tempura, teriyaki
- luncheon eventbuffet, sandwich, salad, soup, quiche
- fine diningchef, gourmet meal, tasting menu, haute cuisine, gourmet
hors d'oeuvremain course
Primary dish served
entrée · main dish · dessert · main event · digestif
hors d'oeuvrefeast
Elaborate ceremonial meal
banquet · repast · main course · hearty meal · full portion