entre

IPA/ˈɒn.treɪ/
KK[ˈɑntre]IPA/ˈɑːn.treɪ/

entre — noun

  • entresingular
  • entresplural

1. the largest and most important food item in a meal, typically served after the s

1.名詞B1
釋義

the largest and most important food item in a meal, typically served after the starter course and eaten as the main part of a lunch or dinner.

例句

For Thanksgiving, Rafael roasted a turkey as the main entre for the family dinner.

collocation: main entre

The restaurant menu lists each entre with a description of the side dishes.

collocation: lists each entre

同義詞
  • main course

    used more commonly in everyday speech than 'entre'

  • main dish

    the most direct and broadly understood alternative

反義詞
  • appetizer

    the small dish served before the entre in American dining

  • starter

    British equivalent of appetizer, served before the main course

文法句型

serve/order + entre

the + entre + of + noun

用法筆記

In American English, this is the dominant meaning. The word appears frequently on restaurant menus and in cookbooks. Outside North America, 'entrée' may refer to the starter course instead.

常見錯誤

❌I ordered a small entre as a starter before my steak.
✅I ordered an appetizer as a starter before my steak.
💡In American English, 'entre' means the main dish, not something small before it.
❌The wedding had three courses: soup, entre, and dessert.
✅The wedding had three courses: soup, main dish, and dessert.
💡In American English, soup is the starter and the 'entre' would be the second course, conflicting with typical three-course naming.

2. at a formal dinner, a light dish eaten before the main course, intended to open

2.名詞B2
釋義

at a formal dinner, a light dish eaten before the main course, intended to open the meal and stimulate the appetite.

例句

The formal banquet began with a light seafood entre served in small portions.

collocation: light seafood entre

In British dining tradition, the entre is the appetizer and not the main meal itself.

variety: British English

同義詞
  • starter

    the standard British term for the first course of a meal

  • appetizer

    the common American term for the first course

  • first course

    a neutral, descriptive term that avoids regional confusion

反義詞
  • main course

    the larger dish that follows the entre in formal dining

  • dessert

    the sweet course that ends the meal

文法句型

serve + X as an entre

the + entre + followed by + noun

用法筆記

This sense reflects traditional French and British formal dining usage. Avoid using it in American contexts without clarification, since most American speakers understand 'entre' as the main dish.

常見錯誤

❌In London, I ordered fish and chips as my entre — it was a huge meal.
✅In London, I ordered a light seafood course as my entre before the main meal.
💡In British formal usage, the entre is the starter, not the large main dish.

3. the permission, ability, or opportunity to join a particular group, enter a spec

3.名詞B2
釋義

the permission, ability, or opportunity to join a particular group, enter a specific place, or gain access to a social or professional circle.

例句

Adaeze's academic achievements gave her an entre into the country's top research institute.

pattern: an entre into [institution]

Knowing the local language provided Ife with an entre into the community's social circles.

同義詞
  • access

    broader term covering the ability to enter, use, or approach something

  • admission

    specifically about being allowed into an institution or group

  • entry

    more direct and common in everyday language

反義詞
  • exclusion

    the state of being kept out or barred from a group or place

  • barrier

    something that prevents access or entry

文法句型

entre + into + noun phrase

entre + to + noun phrase

give/provide + someone + an entre

用法筆記

Frequently takes the prepositions 'into' or 'to'. The subject is typically an abstract quality (qualifications, connections, skills) rather than a physical object. This sense is less common in casual conversation and more typical of formal or written English.

常見錯誤

❌She bought an entre to the museum.
✅Her membership gave her an entre to the museum.
💡'Entre' in this sense describes an abstract right or opportunity, not a purchased ticket.
❌He has an entre for every social event.
✅He has an entre to every social event.
💡The correct prepositions are 'into' or 'to', not 'for'.