appetizer or starter

Meaning

These terms refer to a small dish of food served before the main course of a meal. 'Appetizer' is more common in American English, while 'starter' is preferred in British English, but both are widely understood globally.

Examples

• Would you like to order an appetizer or starter while you wait?

  Would you like to order an appetizer or starter while you wait?

• I think I'll just have an appetizer or starter and a salad for my meal.

  I think I'll just have an appetizer or starter and a salad for my meal.

• The garlic bread is a very popular appetizer or starter here.

  The garlic bread is a very popular appetizer or starter here.

• Let's share an appetizer or starter before our main courses arrive.

  Let's share an appetizer or starter before our main courses arrive.

• The soup of the day is listed under the appetizer or starter section.

  The soup of the day is listed under the appetizer or starter section.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want a first plate before the meat.

  ✓ I want an appetizer or starter before the main course.

  'First plate' is a literal translation from other languages. Use 'appetizer' or 'starter' instead.

• ✗ We ordered some entry dishes for the table.

  ✓ We ordered some appetizers or starters for the table.

  'Entry dishes' is not used in English; the correct terms are 'appetizers', 'starters', or 'entrees' (though 'entree' means the main course in US English).

Related Expressions

Practice

• Should we get a garlic bread as an ___?

  💡 A small dish eaten before the main meal.

  Show answer

  appetizer or starter

• I'm not very hungry, so I'll just order an ___.

  💡 A light opening course.

  Show answer

  appetizer or starter