aperitif

noun

aper·​i·​tif ə-ˌper-ə-ˈtēf 

a-;

ˌä-pər-(ə-)ˈtēf

: an alcoholic drink taken before a meal as an appetizer

Examples of aperitif in a Sentence

They served us champagne as an aperitif.

Recent Examples on the Web

And there’s the aperitif of Manchester United vs Everton earlier the same day. —Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024

Couples and friends would gravitate to the nearby Ivanhoe Lounge, which has an alfresco top deck and a cozy indoor space with floor-to-ceiling windows, for an aperitif. —Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2024

Ghia The First Sip Kit Ghia’s line of bartender-approved, nonalcoholic aperitifs is a thoughtful gift for anyone who doesn’t drink alcohol or is taking a break from it. —Malia Griggs, SELF, 21 Nov. 2024

In particular, the Ghia Paloma made with Ghia N-A aperitif, grapefruit, lime, agave and seltzer has been our most popular N-A order. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French apéritif, from apéritif, adjective, "aperient, stimulating appetite," going back to Old French aperitif "aperient," borrowed from Medieval Latin aperitīvus, variant of Late Latin apertīvus, from Latin apertus, past participle of aperīre "to open" + -īvus -ive — more at aperient

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above