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

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

Twenty years later, DelGado is helping create that same belated celebration for others who never had a quinceañera of their own.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025

Standing before an impromptu altar adorned with flowers and photos of América Sánchez dressed up for her "quinceañera", the party marking her 15th birthday, Ms Hernández paid tribute to her daughter.

From BBC • May 19, 2025

“If we’d known about the quinceañera, we would have waited.”

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall