Definition

A type of pastry that is filled with either sweet or savory ingredients and then baked or fried, often found in Spanish and Latin American cuisine.

Example

I ordered a chicken empanada for lunch, and it was delicious.

Conversation

Have you ever tried an empanada?

Yes, I had one at that new Latin restaurant last week.

What did you think of the empanada?

It was delicious! I loved the spicy filling.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Empanada comes from the Spanish verb 'empanar' (meaning to wrap or coat in bread). The word is derived from 'pan' (meaning bread) and the prefix 'em-' (meaning to put into or to cover). An empanada is essentially a pastry that is wrapped or covered with bread, typically filled with various ingredients.

Memory Tip

Think of 'bread' ('pan') being 'wrapped' ('em-') around a filling — that's what an empanada is, a bread-wrapped filling.

Visually Confused Words