Tortilla Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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tortilla

[tɔːˈtiːjə ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

Mexican cuisine

A thin, round unleavened bread made from cornmeal or wheat flour, used especially in Mexican cooking for wrapping food or as a base for a dish.

Synonyms

flatbread, taco shell, wrap.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tortilla	Commonly used in Mexican cuisine, tortillas are thin, flat bread made from cornmeal or wheat flour. They are used to make various dishes such as tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. I made chicken fajitas and served them with warm tortillas. We need some tortillas for the tacos tonight.
flatbread	A general term for various types of bread that are flat and often not leavened. Flatbreads can be found in many different cuisines worldwide, including pita in Mediterranean cuisine, naan in Indian cuisine, and lavash in Middle Eastern cuisine. We had hummus with some freshly baked flatbread. Naan is a popular type of flatbread served with Indian dishes.
wrap	A type of sandwich where the ingredients are wrapped in a soft, flatbread. Wraps can be made using tortillas or other flatbreads and often include a variety of fillings like meats, vegetables, and sauces. For lunch, I had a chicken Caesar wrap. Wraps are a quick and easy meal option, perfect for on-the-go eating.
taco shell	Specifically refers to a crispy, hard shell used to make tacos. Taco shells are usually made from corn and are shaped to hold various fillings. Crunchy taco shells are great for holding beef, lettuce, and cheese. She bought taco shells for the taco night party.

Examples of usage

Tortillas are commonly used to make tacos and burritos.
I like to eat my tortilla with guacamole and salsa.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

General

A thin disk of unleavened bread made from masa or wheat flour, and baked on a hot surface.

Synonyms

crepe, flatbread, pancake.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tortilla	The word 'tortilla' can also refer to a Spanish tortilla, which is an omelet made with potatoes and onions in Spanish cuisine. The Spanish tortilla is a must-try dish when you visit Spain I made a tortilla española for dinner, and it was a hit!
flatbread	A general term for various types of bread that are flat and without yeast. Often served as a side or base in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Indian cuisine. The restaurant serves a great garlic flatbread as an appetizer You can use flatbread to scoop up the hummus
pancake	Thicker than crepes, often served as a breakfast item in American cuisine. Usually topped with butter, syrup, or fresh fruits. We made fluffy pancakes topped with maple syrup for brunch My favorite is a stack of blueberry pancakes
crepe	Thin, French pancakes, commonly served as a dessert or breakfast dish, often filled with sweet or savory ingredients. We had delicious Nutella crepes for breakfast this morning The spinach and cheese crepe is my favorite dinner option

Examples of usage

She cooked tortillas on the griddle.
He ordered a plate of tortillas to go with his meal.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'tortilla'

The word 'tortilla' originates from the Spanish language, where it means 'small cake'. It was first used in English in the early 18th century to refer to the Mexican flatbread. Tortillas have been a staple in Mexican cuisine for centuries, with corn tortillas being the traditional choice. Today, tortillas are enjoyed worldwide in various forms, from tacos and burritos to wraps and chips.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,723, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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27720 licorice
27721 gamete
27722 whereat
27723 tortilla
27724 stapled
27725 reposition
27726 introverted
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