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

Or order the enchiladas for comfort with a bite. —Bahar Anooshahr, AZCentral.com, 6 Mar. 2026

Save money on takeout and whip up these tasty ground beef enchiladas at home. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026

Patric went with a Baja combo plate ($24) with a short rib taco, cheese enchilada and beef enchilada. —Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026

The red chile enchilada sauce is as smooth as the refried beans, and the light, fragrant rice is much more than a stiff side along for the ride. —Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 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"