hors d'oeuvres
Pre-dinner finger food
Hors d'oeuvres are small, savory foods served before or apart from the main meal—bite-sized portions meant to stimulate appetite rather than satisfy it.
The French phrase literally means "outside the work," suggesting these items stand apart from the meal proper.
Americans often use hors d'oeuvres and appetizers interchangeably, though hors d'oeuvres traditionally implies finger food passed or set out at parties: The caterer arranged hors d'oeuvres on silver trays.
Bite-sized topped appetizers
- bruschettaGrilled bread with toppings
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
- mezzeMiddle Eastern small dishes
crudités · tapenade · charcuterie · pâté · dips · stuffed mushrooms · deviled eggs · spring rolls
canapés
Bite-sized topped appetizers
- bruschettaGrilled bread with toppings
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
mezze · crudités · tapenade · charcuterie · pâté · dips · stuffed mushrooms · deviled eggs · spring rolls · samosas
cocktail party
Drinks-focused social gathering
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- soiréeFormal nighttime social gathering
- buffetSelf-service meal display
platter · toothpicks · catering · host · guests · passed · tray · napkins · mingling · socialize
amuse-bouche
Complimentary chef's tasting bite
sashimi · escargot · blini · truffle · brie · caprese · carpaccio · oysters · smoked salmon · champagne
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- appetizersmozzarella sticks, canapes, bruschetta, buffalo wings, nachos
- banquet foodprime rib, beef tenderloin, filet mignon, roast beef, rack of lamb
- garden partiesgarden party, lawn chairs, patio furniture, gazebo, gazebos
- high societygossip, socialites, socialite, aristocrats, aristocrat
- party foodbirthday cake, cake, appetizers, finger food, punch
hors d'oeuvresmain course
Primary dish served
entrée · main dish · dessert · pièce de résistance · second course
hors d'oeuvresfeast
Elaborate ceremonial meal
hearty meal · heavy meal · square meal · repast · groaning board