SKIP TO CONTENT

amuse-gueule

/ɑˈmuzˈgœl/
IPA guide

Other forms: amuse-gueules

An amuse-gueule is a small taste of food that's meant to whet your appetite for a larger meal to follow. At a fancy restaurant, you might be served an amuse-gueule before the first course.

The French amuse-gueule means "it entertains the mouth," and it refers to a bite-sized serving of food that's usually chosen by a chef rather than ordered off a menu. It has the same meaning as amuse-bouche, which is more commonly used by English speakers. If you say, "What a delicious amuse-gueule!" after you pop a truffled quail egg or tiny seared scallop in your mouth, you'll know you're using the more authentically French term.

Definitions of amuse-gueule
  1. noun
    a bite-sized item of savory food served by some restaurants before meals or between courses
    synonyms: amuse-bouche
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘amuse-gueule'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family