starter course

Meaning

A 'starter course' (often just called a 'starter' or 'appetizer') is the first set of food served during a multi-course meal. It is typically a small portion designed to stimulate the appetite before the main dish arrives. Common starter courses include soups, salads, or small shared plates.

Examples

• For my starter course, I think I'll order the garlic mushrooms.

  For my starter course, I think I'll order the garlic mushrooms.

• The soup was served as a starter course before the main steak arrived.

  The soup was served as a starter course before the main steak arrived.

• We were already full after the starter course because the portion was huge.

  We were already full after the starter course because the portion was huge.

• What are you planning to make for the starter course on Thanksgiving?

  What are you planning to make for the starter course on Thanksgiving?

• A light salad is the perfect starter course for a heavy pasta dinner.

  A light salad is the perfect starter course for a heavy pasta dinner.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I ordered a start course of spring rolls.

  ✓ I ordered a starter course of spring rolls.

  Use the noun/adjective form 'starter', not the verb 'start', to describe this course.

• ✗ What is the first food we are eating tonight?

  ✓ What is the starter course tonight?

  While 'first food' is understandable, 'starter course' or 'starter' is the natural culinary term.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The waiter asked if we wanted to order a ___ before choosing our mains.

  💡 The first dish of a meal.

  Show answer

  starter course

• I usually skip the ___ so I have enough room for dessert.

  💡 The appetizer or initial dish.

  Show answer

  starter course