("Appetizer" redirects here. For the dock application, see Appetizer (software).) An hors d'oeuvre (/ɔːr ˈdɜːrv, ˈdɜːrvrᵊ/; French: hors d'œuvre, [also hors d'oevre] [ɔʁ dœvʁ] ), appetizer, or starter is a small dish served before a meal. Some hors d'oeuvres are served cold, others hot. Hors d'oeuvres may be served at the dinner table as a part of the meal, or they may be served before seating. Formerly, hors d'oeuvres were also served between courses. Typically smaller than a main dish, it is often designed to be eaten by hand (with minimal use of cutlery).