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

Try the old-fashioned enchiladas with chile con carne or mole sauce. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2026

Cactus Flower Cafe is a small chain of California‑style Mexican restaurants, with locations in Pensacola and Navarre Beach, serving homemade enchiladas, burritos, and tacos. —Daria Bachmann, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026

Youth won’t be served Last fall, over a plate of enchiladas in downtown San José, Mayor Matt Mahan emphatically ruled out a run for governor. —Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

Robed in a blanket of creamy, melty cheddar cheese, these simple beef enchiladas are always a crowd-pleaser. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 May 2026

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"