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

The same thing happens with enchilada, a McDonald's chicken burger, mac and cheese, pasta, and salami, with Smith heard laughing after each of the critic's reactions. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025

Dig in: Northstar Cafeteria serves a half-dozen comfort food dishes, including BBQ ribs, meatloaf, Swedish meatballs, rotisserie chicken and a bean and cheese enchilada. —Nick Halter, Axios, 21 Feb. 2025

These ingredients are simmered in a liquid, then ground or puréed into a sauce that’s used to coat meat, enchiladas, or used in other recipes like tacos, tostadas, or rice and beans. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025

Here are 10 weeknight dinners that don’t require eggs, from chicken enchiladas to swordfish and crusted tuna. —Staff Report, The Denver Post, 18 Feb. 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"