burrito
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of burrito
First recorded in 1940–45; from Mexican Spanish (Guerrero): “stuffed taco,” Spanish: “young donkey, foal,” equivalent to burr(o) “donkey” + -ito diminutive suffix; see origin at burro
Compare meaning
How does burrito compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A burrito is a delicious Mexican dish made of foods like beans, cheese, or other fillings rolled up in a soft tortilla. Eat a big burrito for lunch, and you may still be full at dinnertime. In Spanish, burrito means "little donkey" or "little burro," a name that may have been inspired by the rolled packs that working burros carry on their backs. Burritos are common in northern parts of Mexico and areas of the U.S. that border that country. Over the years, the burrito's popularity has spread widely, along with other Mexican dishes such as nachos and tacos. Authentic Mexican burritos tend to be smaller and have fewer ingredients than their U.S. counterparts.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Olsen, who continued waiting in the lengthy line for a burrito at the fan zone in downtown LA, said this year's tournament just felt different.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
Breakfast options include the sausage McMuffin, sausage biscuit, sausage burrito, hash browns, and a medium coffee—all at under $3 each.
From Barron's ● Apr. 21, 2026
The chain’s street corn-and-double-chicken burrito bowls and queso crunch double-chicken burrito bowls, which were introduced in late September, were “instrumental” in driving fourth-quarter results, the company said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026
Your burrito would still cook in the microwave at exactly the same rate.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 10, 2026
The harpy yelped, dropped the burrito, and flew off.
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
The chain, which has more than 4,100 outlets worldwide, said on Monday that the move is a "significant milestone" for the firm - known for its customisable burritos, tacos and bowls.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Each entrée contained approximately 3.0-3.5 ounces of meat and was served in foods such as fajitas, burgers, stew, burritos, and stir fry.
From Science Daily ● May 22, 2026
“Gambrel roofed Barnhaus,” the listing read, “next door to the best burritos in town.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2026
Fans could sip on BTS chocolate lattes or devour BTS kimchi-and-beef burritos.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026
I’m not sure what the other kids in the cafe saw, but they went crazy and started throwing their burritos and baskets of chips and sodas at each other, shrieking and screaming.
From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
