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

Fiesta Loca Family-run Fiesta Loca serves up a menu that goes beyond the usual tacos and nachos, with enchiladas, flautas, and other regional Mexican specialties. — Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 3 Nov. 2026

The rest of their work in the coming months will be to get other Art’s products — like its enchilada sauce that Gencarelli adores — into more stores and in front of a younger audience. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Pour 1/2 cup enchilada sauce into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish, tilting to coat bottom of dish. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2026

But the picture on the can of enchilada sauce shows flour tortillas. — John Hodgman, New York Times, 9 Oct. 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"