What are hors d'oeuvres?

hors· d'oeuvre (pronounced or-DURV) is a noun.

A small portion of a tasty food served as an appetizer before a meal or as at a cocktail party.

From the French, and literally means "outside of work" < hors, outside (< L foris) + de, of (see de-) + oeuvre, work (< L opera, works)

As 'finger food', most hors d'oeuvres are picked up and eaten by hand. Some will have toothpicks or similar dispensing utensils.

Hors d'oeuvres is a French term for an appetizer. They can be olives, canapes, or pigs in a blanket. They are served before the beginning of a meal. They are a cold item of finger food (served on a platter), that could typically be consumed in one to three bites. (Canapes are hot items of finger food.)

Note : As they are rarely served singly, the correct plural spelling (in English) is hors d'oeuvres.

See related questions for more information.