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

Trujillo would also buy the dry enchilada sauce Taco House sold at the counter, adding chicken broth to it for her own dinners at home. —Miguel Otárola, The Denver Post, 19 Dec. 2024

With a wave of her hand, two plates of enchiladas appeared. —Kayla Aletha Welch, Longreads, 19 Nov. 2024

Iconic dishes include cheese enchiladas, chicken burritos and carne asada burritos. —Kaila Yu, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Otherwise, go for the enchiladas, margaritas and queso dip at Miguel’s Cocina nearby. —Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024

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

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"