French word

hors-d'œuvre

Pronunciation

IPA/ɔʁdœvʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounappetizer

Example

Ils ont acheté des hors-d'œuvre pour la fête.

They bought appetizers for the party.

Illustration for hors-d'œuvre (appetizer)

More examples

On a préparé des hors-d'œuvre pour l'apéritif.

We prepared appetizers for the aperitif.

Core concept

Several small savory bites gathered on a table for eating before the main course.

Common phrases

  • des hors-d'œuvre

    appetizers

  • un plateau de hors-d'œuvre

    a platter of appetizers

  • servir des hors-d'œuvre

    serve appetizers

Similar words

entrée: The first course listed on a menu and served as an appetizer.
apéritif: A light drink served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.

Definition in French

Plat présenté en petites portions avant le plat principal, souvent servi comme accompagnement de l'apéritif.

Word origin

French formed hors-d'œuvre from hors, 'outside', and œuvre, 'work', a word descended from Latin opera; the culinary sense refers to food outside the main course.

Usage tips

  • The plural is normally written hors-d'œuvre, not hors-d'œuvres, so des hors-d'œuvre is the usual form.

Opposites

  • plat principalmain coursenoun
  • dessertdessertnoun

Word lists with this word