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

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

Serve enchiladas for a hearty Halloween supper to balance out all of the candy that will be consumed later in the evening. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024

But don't call it an enchilada or the owner, Becky Garza, will scold you profusely. —Mireya Villarreal, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2025

Although customers rave about the cheese enchiladas and puffy tacos, the breakfast taco lineup is what makes this place stand out. —Edmund Tijerina, Bon Appétit, 27 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"