enchilada

noun en·chi·la·da \ ˌen-chə-ˈlä-də \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Definition of enchilada

1 : a usually corn tortilla rolled around a savory mixture, covered with chili sauce, and usually baked

2 : schmear, ball of wax

the whole enchilada

See enchilada defined for English-language learners

See enchilada defined for kids

Recent Examples of enchilada from the Web

Breakfast enchiladas stuffed with pork or turkey sausage, $9.25; giant gingerbread pancake, $4.25 for one.

— anne harnagel, latimes.com, "Searching for Billy the Kid and UFOs in southeastern New Mexico," 18 May 2018
These enchiladas are splashed with a springy cilantro sauce, but ask for a side of mole, too.

— kara baskin, BostonGlobe.com, "How to eat like a local on Newbury Street," 19 June 2018
The legendary comedian whose Netflix series, A Little Help With Carol Burnett, premieres this month loves good news and enchiladas.

— team marie claire, Marie Claire, "24 Questions with Carol Burnett," 18 Apr. 2018
Red salsa, salsa verde, leftover enchilada sauce warmed up or hot sauce would all be great options.

— maya wilson, Anchorage Daily News, "If you have eggs and tortillas, you’ve got the start of a supremely satisfying meal," 12 July 2018
Specialties include fajitas, enchiladas and taco plates and specialties like nopales salad and molé chilaquiles.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Casa Rústica restaurant opens in Carmel Valley," 3 July 2018
Tacos, burritos, enchiladas and Mexican pizza, among other homemade delights, will be on the menu.

— rene wisely, Detroit Free Press, "New Mexican carryout restaurant coming to Ferndale," 2 July 2018
Instead of frozen chicken tenders, fish sticks, or sloppy Joes, Giusti and his team offer up curry chicken with ginger brown rice, chicken gumbo, beef enchiladas, and homemade cheese pizza.

— dave collins, BostonGlobe.com, "‘Throwdown’ focuses on healthy, cheap school lunches," 31 May 2018
Guacamole, nachos and enchiladas have developed a formidable fan following.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "Menu at Porch, Louisville's newest downtown hit, 'speaks to everyone'," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enchilada.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of enchilada

American Spanish, from feminine of enchilado, past participle of enchilar to season with chili, from Spanish en- ¹en- + chile chili

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1878

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

ENCHILADA Defined for English Language Learners

enchilada

noun

Definition of enchilada for English Language Learners

: a Mexican food that consists of a flat piece of bread (called a tortilla) that is rolled around a meat, bean, or cheese filling and covered with a sauce