nachos
Nachos are a popular snack dish consisting of tortilla chips covered in melted cheese, often topped with jalapeños, beans, meat, or salsa. The mental image is a generous, messy pile of crunchy chips held together by gooey, warm cheese, meant to be shared with friends. The word is informal and almost exclusively associated with social gatherings, sports bars, or movie nights. It is rarely used in formal dining contexts. Common collocations include "a plate of nachos," "loaded nachos," or "dipping chips."
In conversation
Planning a movie night
Should I pick up some nachos on the way over?
Should I pick up some nachos on the way over?
Definitely! Get the ones with extra jalapeños.
Definitely! Get the ones with extra jalapeños.
Used as a casual suggestion for a snack.
At a sports bar
Are you ready to order, or do you need a minute?
Are you ready to order, or do you need a minute?
We'll start with an order of nachos to share.
We'll start with an order of nachos to share.
Standard way to order a shared appetizer.
Examples
I ate some nachos.
I ate some nachos.
We ordered a large plate of loaded nachos for the table.
We ordered a large plate of loaded nachos for the table.
The nachos were smothered in spicy queso and topped with fresh pico de gallo.
The nachos were smothered in spicy queso and topped with fresh pico de gallo.
