What does entree mean?
An entree is a noun with two distinct strands of meaning. In everyday American usage, it refers to the main course of a meal — the substantial dish, usually meat, poultry, or fish, around which a dinner menu is built. In British and French dining traditions, by contrast, an entree is a smaller savoury course served earlier in a formal meal. The word also has an established figurative sense: the right or means of entry into a place, profession, or social circle, as in 'an entree into politics'. Derived from French, where it means 'entrance' or 'entry', the term entered English in the eighteenth century and retains a slightly refined, gastronomic flavour. Because of its dual culinary meanings, context matters greatly: ordering an entree in New York yields a very different plate than in London. Its figurative use lends prose a polished tone when discussing access to exclusive worlds.
The main course of a meal, particularly in North American usage.
"The restaurant's most popular entrée is a slow-roasted duck breast with cherry sauce."
On British and French menus this same word denotes an earlier, lighter course rather than the main one.
The right or means of entering or gaining admittance to a place, group, or field of activity.
"A summer internship gave her an entrée to the competitive world of fashion journalism."
The plural follows standard English -s formation; both accented and unaccented spellings are acceptable.
"The banquet featured five vegetarian entrees alongside the traditional meat dishes."
An 'entree' literally means 'entrance' — and in France it still means the appetizer that enters the meal first, while Americans made it the star of the show.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of entree
Entree comes from French entrée, meaning 'entrance' or 'entry', formed from the verb entrer ('to enter'), which itself descends from Latin intrare, from intra ('within'). English borrowed the word in the eighteenth century, initially for a dish that 'entered' the formal sequence of courses after the soup or fish. Over time, especially in North America, the term shifted to designate the main course of a meal, diverging from French usage, where entrée still denotes a starter. Related English words from the same Latin root include entry, entrance, and traverse.
How entree is actually used
The word carries a notable transatlantic divide: on American menus an entrée is the main course, whereas in British and French dining it denotes a smaller course before the main roast. The figurative sense — meaning access or admission to a sphere such as high society or a profession — is more common in formal writing. Both spellings 'entree' and 'entrée' are accepted, with the accent retained in many British publications.
Easily confused with entree
An entry is the act or place of going in (or an item recorded), while an entree refers either to a course of a meal or the privilege or means of access to something.