quinceañera
Americannoun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Her brother opened a quinceañera shop in East Los Angeles and told her it was hers to operate.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026
One order was for six dresses for a quinceañera and the rest for prom and a wedding.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026
Attendees took videos of him swaying beside the night’s honoree, a 15-year-old girl in a crown and glittering ivory ball gown celebrating her quinceañera.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
A spokesman for the De La Cruz campaign issued a statement citing reports of Pulido’s associations and social-media posts, and said families of the quinceañera celebrants “deserve to know” about his past.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
It’s in the same basement as my quinceañera, and when we walk down the stairs, I get flashbacks of that horrible night.
From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez
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.
