Quinceañera
n.joyful, kindeveryday
What it means
A celebration marking a girl's fifteenth birthday in many Latin American communities.
Reach for it when naming the culturally specific coming-of-age celebration or its honoree
The family planned a quinceañera that joined a church blessing with a lively garden reception.
Choose between these
5- playful
birthday fiesta
a festive informal description fits
not when Fiesta alone misses the ceremonial meaning.
- everyday
fifteenth-birthday celebration
the age milestone needs immediate explanation
not when The phrase omits the cultural tradition.
- warm
quince
the familiar shortened form suits insiders
not when Quince can also mean the fruit.
- formal
coming-of-age celebration
transition toward adulthood is central
not when Many cultures use different coming-of-age rites.
- literary
debut celebration
formal social presentation is being compared
not when A debut has a different history and purpose.
Said against
3- ordinary birthday
- nonobservance
- cancellation
It naturally appears in
3- celebrate a quinceañera
Three generations gathered to celebrate a quinceañera.
- quinceañera dress
Her quinceañera dress included embroidery made by her aunt.
- quinceañera ceremony
The quinceañera ceremony honored family, faith, and growing responsibility.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English noun sense: Latin American celebration of a girl's fifteenth birthday opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.