What is the Difference Between Starter and Entree?

The terms "starter" and "entree" refer to small dishes served at the beginning of a meal, but their meanings differ between British English and American English.

In British English:

• A starter is the first course of a meal, which can be served hot or cold, and feature small cuts of meat, starches, seasonal vegetables, and sauces.
• An entree is a dish served before the main course, often synonymous with hors d'oeuvre, appetizer, or starter.

In American English:

• A starter is known as an appetizer, which is a small dish served at the beginning of a meal.
• An entree refers to the main course or dish of a meal.

In summary, the key difference between starter and entree is that in British English, a starter is the first course of a meal, while an entree is a dish served before the main course. In American English, a starter is an appetizer, and an entree is the main course of a meal.

Comparative Table: Starter vs Entree

Here is a table comparing the differences between a starter and an entree:

In summary, a starter is a small dish served before the main course, often featuring smaller portions of ingredients, while an entree is the main course itself, usually larger in portion size and served after the starter or appetizer.