English Reference

Word

nacho

Phoneticsna·cho

US/ˈnæˌtʃoʊ/

UK/nˈætʃəʊ/

Definition

n. a small piece of fried corn tortilla, usually served with melted cheese or a spicy sauce. You often eat them as a snack or an appetizer.

n. a small, often triangular piece of toasted or fried tortilla, typically topped with melted cheese and chili peppers. Frequently served as a snack or appetizer, often in a larger dish with various toppings.

Examples

“I ordered a plate of nachos to share with my friends.”

“The waiter brought a large tray of nachos covered in jalapeños, sour cream, and guacamole.”

“While originally a simple snack of fried tortillas and cheese, the modern nacho has evolved into a complex dish featuring diverse proteins, legumes, and various salsas.”

Examples

simple

“I ordered a plate of nachos to share with my friends.”

contextual

“The waiter brought a large tray of nachos covered in jalapeños, sour cream, and guacamole.”

complex

“While originally a simple snack of fried tortillas and cheese, the modern nacho has evolved into a complex dish featuring diverse proteins, legumes, and various salsas.”

Usage

Usually used in the plural form when referring to the dish as a whole.

Etymology

Back-formation from nachos.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms

reheat someone's nachos — To recreate or emulate something done before; to rehash; usually refers to celebrities or influencers.

want someone's nachos — To covet another; to envy one's accomplishments or qualities.

This entry

Level
B1 · Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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