nacho

noun

na·​cho ˈnä-(ˌ)chō 

plural nachos

: a tortilla chip topped with melted cheese and often additional savory toppings (such as hot peppers or refried beans)

Examples of nacho in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

They'll also be featured in the Luxe Cravings Box — featuring two Cheesy Street Chalupas, a Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito, chips and nacho cheese sauce and a medium fountain drink — all for just $9. —Michael Nied, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025

The classic nacho appetizer came topped with refried beans, cheese, and jalapeños, and was served with sour cream, pico, and guacamole. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025

The last — Tim Raines’ nacho bowl — from the 2002 Marlins — is on display at the Hall of Fame. —Jayson Stark, New York Times, 19 June 2025

The inspector saw a pot of nacho cheese stored at room temperature on the table, outside of a hot holding area of the East Side restaurant. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from Spanish Nacho, hypocoristic form of the personal name Ignacio

Note: According to a story that apparently first appeared in the San Antonio Express on May 23, 1954 ("Nacho's? Natch!", by Clarence D. LaRoche, p. 3H), the dish was devised in 1940 by Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya García (1895-1975), a waiter (in other versions a maitre d' or chef) at a restaurant in Piedras Negras, Mexico. As related by LaRoche and in later versions, the story has stock elements of a culinary origin myth: late in the day a waiter or chef is pressed to come up with food to satisfy hungry customers and with limited ingredients left in the kitchen invents a new dish. Similar stories purport to explain the origins of other eponymous dishes, as the Reuben sandwich, Buffalo wings and Caesar salad. Though a print connection between "Nacho" Anaya and nachos is relatively early—predating the popularity of the snack outside south Texas—the first citations for nacho, in 1948 and 1949, make no reference to him.

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

nacho

noun

na·​cho ˈnä-chō 

plural nachos

: a tortilla chip topped with melted cheese and often additional toppings (as hot peppers or refried beans)