enchilada

noun

en·​chi·​la·​da ˌen-chə-ˈlä-də How to pronounce enchilada (audio)
1
: a usually corn tortilla rolled around a savory mixture, covered with chili sauce, and usually baked
2
: schmear sense 1, ball of wax
the whole enchilada

Examples of enchilada in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Enchiladas con Mole: three chicken enchiladas with mole sauce, rice and salad ($12.99). Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2025 Customers who bought the enchiladas are urged not to consume them and to discard of them, regardless of their use-by date. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025 The ladies in the family would always order the same thing as Trujillo’s grandmother, Cleo Martinez: the number 4, or three cheese enchiladas with round tostadas. Miguel Otárola, The Denver Post, 19 Dec. 2024 Get The Recipe 29 of 60 Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas Ready in 30 minutes Mini tortillas and muffin pans make time-consuming enchiladas effortless. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for enchilada 

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from feminine of enchilado, past participle of enchilar to season with chili, from Spanish en- en- entry 1 + chile chili

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enchilada was in 1878

Dictionary Entries Near enchilada

Cite this Entry

“Enchilada.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enchilada. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

enchilada

noun
en·​chi·​la·​da ˌen-chə-ˈläd-ə How to pronounce enchilada (audio)
: a tortilla rolled around a meat or cheese filling and covered with a chili sauce
Etymology

American Spanish, derived from earlier enchilar "to season with chili"

More from Merriam-Webster on enchilada

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