entree
AHN-tray
/ˈɑːntreɪ/
The main dish of a meal (primarily in North America) or a dish served between the fish and roast courses (in classical French service).
In North American menus, entree means the principal main dish; in traditional French dining, it meant an entrance dish before the main roast.
The story behind the word. Derived from Old French 'entrer' (to enter), this term originally referred to the dish served as the entry into the main dining spectacle. As classical French service simplified in North America, the term shifted to denote the chief main dish of the meal.
Word relationships
- main course: Main course is universal across English variants, while entree has region-specific menu placement definitions.
- appetizer: An appetizer is a small preliminary dish, whereas an entree is the central dish.
Commonly confused with
- entrée (entrance): In French, entrée literally means entry; in English dining, it specifically refers to a featured course.
Word family
- enter (verb): To come or go into a place.
Collocations
- main entree
- seafood entree
- vegetarian entree
- order an entree
Example sentences
- "For her entree, she chose the roasted salmon with seasonal vegetables." Dining out
Memory hook
The entree is your ENTRY into the main event of dinner. The main culinary attraction.
When not to use
Do not confuse with starter when reading North American menus.
Fun facts
- In modern France, an 'entrée' is still the starter, while in the US it is the main dish.
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