quinceañera

American  

[keens-ah-nyair-uh] / ˌkins ɑˈnyɛər ə /

Or quinceanera

noun

1. (among Hispanics in Latin America and the U.S.) a celebration of a girl's fifteenth birthday, marking her transition from childhood to maturity.

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Usage

What is a quinceañera? A quinceañera is a celebration of a girl’s fifteenth birthday in Hispanic communities in Latin American and the United States. Quinceañeras typically begin with a Catholic Mass or other Christian religious service, although some families choose not to hold a religious service. Next is a reception with immediate and extended family and friends. The reception generally includes food, music and dancing, and ceremonies.Example: We celebrated our daughter’s fifteenth birthday yesterday with quinceañera and everyone had a great time.

Etymology

Origin of quinceañera

First recorded in 1970–75; from Spanish, feminine of quinceañero “fifteen-year-old,” from quince “fifteen” (from Latin quīndecim ) + año “year” (from Latin annus ) + -ero adjective suffix (from Latin -ārius )

Example Sentences

In another part of town, a store owner who sells quinceañera and baptism dresses said her sales have dropped by 60% every month since August, and clients have postponed shopping.

From Los Angeles Times

They teased one another, complained about overbearing mothers-in-law and celebrated milestones, like a daughter’s quinceañera.

From Los Angeles Times

The quinceanera dress shops in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood are usually bustling enterprises, reflecting the buoyant mood of Latino families eyeing a brighter future.

From Barron's

One of the dozen quinceanera shops in Little Village -- where families buy lavish gowns for their daughters' coming-of-age parties -- already went out of business, in September.

From Barron's

He’s even planning a triple quinceañera with his twin brother for their 45th birthday next year.

From Los Angeles Times