hors d'oeuvre

noun
UK: /ˌɔː ˈdɜːv/
US: /ˌɔːr ˈdɜːrv/

  1. A small, savory food served as an appetizer before a meal.

    1. We had a delicious hors d'oeuvre before dinner.
    2. The chef prepared a selection of elegant hors d'oeuvre for the party.

  2. A dish of bite-sized foods served before a meal or at a cocktail party.

    1. She brought a tray of hors d'oeuvre to the party.
    2. The reception featured a variety of hot and cold hors d'oeuvre options.

Synonyms

appetizer finger food starter
hors d'oeuvre verb

  1. To serve as or provide hors d'oeuvre.

    1. They hors d'oeuvre with mini quiches at the event.
    2. The restaurant will hors d'oeuvre a selection of cheeses and meats.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "hors d'oeuvre" in English means: A small, savory food served as an appetizer before a meal., A dish of bite-sized foods served before a meal or at a cocktail party..

The phonetic transcription of "hors d'oeuvre" is /ˌɔː ˈdɜːv/ in British English and /ˌɔːr ˈdɜːrv/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "hors d'oeuvre": appetizer, finger food, starter.

Example usage of "hors d'oeuvre": "We had a delicious hors d'oeuvre before dinner.". More examples on the page.