starter plate

Meaning

A starter plate (often just called a 'starter' or 'appetizer') is a small portion of food served before the main course of a meal. In travel contexts, ordering a starter plate is a great way to sample local flavors or share small dishes with friends.

Examples

• Would you like to order a starter plate to share before our mains?

  Would you like to order a starter plate to share before our mains?

• The garlic bread makes a perfect starter plate for two people.

  The garlic bread makes a perfect starter plate for two people.

• I think I will just have a starter plate and a soup tonight.

  I think I will just have a starter plate and a soup tonight.

• Our starter plate arrived quickly, but the main courses took longer.

  Our starter plate arrived quickly, but the main courses took longer.

• They offer a mixed seafood starter plate on their weekend menu.

  They offer a mixed seafood starter plate on their weekend menu.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will order a start plate.

  ✓ I will order a starter plate.

  Use the noun or adjective form 'starter', not the verb 'start'.

• ✗ We want a starter plate of dessert.

  ✓ We want a dessert plate.

  A starter plate is eaten at the beginning of the meal, whereas dessert is eaten at the end.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Let's get a cheese ___ to snack on while we wait.

  💡 A small dish served before the main meal

  Show answer

  starter plate

• Is this ___ big enough for three people to share?

  💡 An opening dish or appetizer

  Show answer

  starter plate