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.
By 2 p.m. she had sold five quinceañera dresses and her husband had 10 dress orders.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026
On the night of the quinceañera in Alice, Pulido made a second stop at a birthday party at the Jim Wells County fairground.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 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
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
Susie’s quinceañera has become a full-blown reception by the consul.
From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez
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.
