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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

Hors d'Oeuvre

/ˌɔɹˈdɝv/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:55
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What does Hors d'Oeuvre mean?

noun

  1. A small, light, and usually savory first course in a meal.
  2. Anything preliminary and of secondary concern.
More meanings (1)

noun

  1. (dated, rare) Something unusual or extraordinary.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˌɔɹˈdɝv/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

Hors d'oeuvre, soup, meat, pudding, sweets and wine were all designed, and estimates were out.
Douglas, Sir MawsonThe Home of the Blizzard Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914Project Gutenberg ebook #6137
Thanks to the efforts of upwards of ten human beings--counting laundresses, gardeners, cooks, kitchen-maids, butlers and footmen--the table was sumptuously laid for eight, with silver waterjugs, decanters, kvass, wine, mineral waters, cut glass, and fine table linen, while two men-servants were continually hurrying to and fro, bringing in and serving, and then clearing away the hors d’oeuvre and the various hot and cold courses.
Leo, graf TolstoyThe forged coupon, and other storiesProject Gutenberg ebook #243