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.
Amy Saenz, 18, filled out the form to get Pulido to attend her sister Jimena’s quinceañera in Edinburg as a joke.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
He delivered a similar message the day before at a quinceañera in Mission, about two hours away.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
Whether at a quinceañera - a sweet-16 birthday party - or a club, Miranda says the moment the first Bad Bunny beat drops, the energy in the room comes alive.
From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026
“I would have had the biggest quinceañera ever, with the most beautiful dress and the most beautiful hair,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025
Our friends and loved ones were used to attending debutant balls, but since I didn’t have one the year before, this party was like my make-up quinceañera.
From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall
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.
