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 only enchiladas are chicken, with first-rate mole sauce, spicy tomatillo-jalapeno salsa verde or sour cream sauce, or in a platter with all three. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2025

To make the enchiladas, dip softened corn tortillas in the creamy salsa before filling and rolling each one like a cigar. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025

There's also a vegetarian menu, entrees of seafood, steak or chicken, fajitas, enchiladas, and house specials. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 9 Feb. 2025

Chicken enchiladas with spicy salsa verde The lunch and dinner menus don’t have either a combination plate or beef enchiladas. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 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"