enchilada

noun

en·​chi·​la·​da ˌen-chə-ˈlä-də 

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

Cut-up chicken, crushed potato chips, ranch dressing, cream cheese, and jalapeños approximate an enchilada. —Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

Open since 1922, the restaurant has a few different locations in the area, and its Northern Mexico and Tucson-style Mexican menu features enchiladas, tamales, tacos, margaritas, and more. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2025

For lunch, that mole negro will come in chicken enchiladas. —Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 1 Oct. 2024

Servers dish up a banana splits big enough to feed three that cost just $5, and a pair of cheese enchiladas goes for less than $4. —Pam Leblanc, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025

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

Phrases Containing enchilada

• the big enchilada
• the whole enchilada

Rhymes for enchilada

• arthropoda
• intifada
• theravada
• armada
• entrada
• espada
• hamada
• jornada
• kannada
• posada
• quebrada
• ramada

Kids Definition

enchilada

noun

en·​chi·​la·​da ˌen-chə-ˈläd-ə 

: 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"