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

It is praised by online commenters for its traditional cheese enchiladas, puffy tacos and thin, light tortilla chips that are a holdover from El Rancho Grande. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026

The three-page menu includes soups, salads, enchiladas, fajitas, tacos and other Southwestern staples. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026

Start the day with grab-and-go breakfast tacos and end it with a leisurely dinner of Wagyu beef fajitas or the Dandy Don, an enchilada sampler made with locally famous La Norteña tortillas. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026

Crumble it on corn, sprinkle it on a tostada, drop it into beans or dump it into filling for enchiladas — just don’t forget the cotija. —Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 4 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"