Definition

1. Noun:
   • An alcoholic beverage consumed before a meal to stimulate the appetite.

Usage

• The word "aperitif" is used to describe a specific type of drink, typically light and dry, served as a prelude to dining. It is a formal term often associated with European dining culture.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "To have/take an aperitif": The standard phrasing for consuming this drink.
  • It's a local custom to have an aperitif at the café before going home for the evening.

Variants and Related Words

• Aperitive (adjective, rare): Having the quality of stimulating the appetite.
  • The bitter flavor of the drink is considered aperitive.

Synonyms

• Appetizer (when referring to a drink): A drink taken before a meal.
• Starter drink: An informal term for a pre-meal alcoholic beverage.

Antonyms

• Digestif: An alcoholic beverage taken a meal to aid digestion.
  • We had cognac as a digestif after the rich meal.

Related Phrases

• Aperitif hour: A period of time, often late afternoon or early evening, dedicated to socializing over aperitifs.
  • The city's piazzas are bustling during aperitif hour.

Noun

1. alcoholic beverage taken before a meal as an appetizer