enchilada

[ en-chuh-lah-duh, -lad-uh ]

noun

, Mexican Cooking.

1. a tortilla rolled and filled with a seasoned mixture, usually containing meat, and covered with a sauce flavored with chiles.

enchilada

/ ˌɛntʃɪˈlɑːdə /

noun

1. a Mexican dish consisting of a tortilla fried in hot fat, filled with meat, and served with a chilli sauce

Word History and Origins

Origin of enchilada¹

First recorded in 1885–90; from Central American Spanish, feminine of Spanish enchilado “spiced with chile” (past participle of enchilar ), equivalent to en- causative prefix + chil(e) “chile pepper” + -ado adjective suffix; en- ¹, chili, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of enchilada¹

C19: American Spanish, feminine of enchilado seasoned with chilli, from enchilar to spice with chilli, from chile chilli

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. big / top enchilada, Slang. big enchilada ( def ).
2. whole enchilada, Slang. the entirety of something, especially something impressive or outstanding:

   She has a job with money, prestige, and satisfaction—the whole enchilada.

More idioms and phrases containing enchilada

see big cheese (enchilada) ; whole ball of wax (enchilada) .

Example Sentences

The ignorance — yes, we assimilate, and no, we’re not sleeper agents hell-bent on retaking the American Southwest through demographics and enchiladas — mostly amuses me when it doesn’t offend.

From Los Angeles Times

He loved to hunt and cook, sometimes combining the two passions at the fire station by serving quail enchiladas, the poultry fresh from a recent hunt.

From Los Angeles Times

Examples of food provided in the breast cancer clinical trial included peanut soba noodles, steel cut oatmeal, banana flax muffins, sweet potato enchiladas, and Mediterranean white bean soup.

From Science Daily

For example, a $20 mole enchilada at a restaurant that levies a 5% fee to cover employee health costs will have to be listed on the menu as a $21 mole enchilada.

From Los Angeles Times

The pillows are fluffed, the cocktails are mixed, the enchiladas are warming in the oven.

From Los Angeles Times