1. a small dish of food served before the main course of a meal to stimulate appetite

Examples

• We ordered shrimp cocktail as an appetizer.
• The restaurant serves complimentary bread as an appetizer.
• She prepared cheese and crackers for appetizers at the party.
• The appetizer menu includes soup, salad, and stuffed mushrooms.
• They shared three different appetizers before their main dishes arrived.
• The spinach dip was a popular appetizer at the gathering.