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

Ancho & Agave served a dozen frozen margarita flavors, chicken asada street tacos, chili lime shrimp quesadillas, carnitas enchiladas, birria and more. — Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

The menu features traditional dishes including street-style tacos, chimichangas, enchiladas and burritos, plus a few family-style options. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026

The tamale was once a familiar presence on Mexican restaurant menus in the United States, sharing space with tacos, burritos and enchiladas. — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

This make-ahead superstar has oodles of flavor thanks to green enchilada sauce and a poblano chile. — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 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"