burrito

American  

[buh-ree-toh, boor-ree-taw] / bəˈri toʊ, burˈri tɔ /

noun

Mexican Cooking.

burritos plural

1. a tortilla folded over a filling, as of ground beef, grated cheese, or refried beans.

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burrito British  

/ bəˈriːtəʊ /

noun

1. Mexican cookery a tortilla folded over a filling of minced beef, chicken, cheese, or beans

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• burritos
  plural

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:

• enchilada vs. burrito
• burrito vs. chimichanga
• taco vs. burrito
• burro vs. burrito

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

See Examples For:

burrito burritos

While standing in queue for a burrito just before the USA v Turkey match in downtown LA, documentary filmmaker Erik Olsen, who has watched many World Cups, said this tournament had been a unifying experience.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

Much of the burrito chain’s recent growth has been driven by new restaurant openings rather than consumers visiting more often.

From Barron's ● May 6, 2026

When Meeshie Fahmy and her husband, Aaron Snyder, toured the house, they learned that the burrito claim was true.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2026

Your burrito would still cook in the microwave at exactly the same rate.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 10, 2026

“There’s a burrito place across the street, or...?”

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway

Customers are still approaching Dialog Cafe for their usual orders of breakfast burritos, lattes, wraps and cookies, many of which have gone viral on social media in recent years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

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

Fans could sip on BTS chocolate lattes or devour BTS kimchi-and-beef burritos.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026

Stopping for coffee and two burritos with green chili in a cafe near the central plaza, he leafed swiftly through all twenty magazines, marking the stories that carried a Charley Bloom by-line.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols