carioca

noun

ca·​ri·​o·​ca ˌker-ē-ˈō-kə How to pronounce carioca (audio)
ˌka-rē-
1
capitalized : a native or resident of Rio de Janeiro
2
a
: a variation of the samba
b
: the music for this dance

Examples of carioca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Through her trilingual funk carioca, reggaetón, Afrobeat, and fizzy pop songs, the singer closes the divide between cultures while celebrating her Brazilian roots on the world stage, as evinced in her 2024 album, Funk Generation. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 23 Apr. 2025 These days, Brazilian funk (also known as funk carioca or baile funk) is bigger than ever, spawning TikTok dance challenges and full-on choreography. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2024 Separately, Anitta has unleashed her carioca funk trilogy: Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 18 Aug. 2023 With her new 3-track bundle Funk Generation: A Favela Story, Anitta dives head first into funk carioca, letting her buttery smooth voice glide over jumping bass and entrancing rhythms that will pull you in immediately. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 18 Aug. 2023 Brazilian and Colombian rhythms and cultures collide in this insatiable reggaetón and funk carioca remix. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 4 Aug. 2023 Since launching her career in 2010, the 29-year-old Brazilian has charted with funk carioca and pop hits in her native Portuguese, as well as Spanish and English, and her catalog includes collaborations with artists ranging from Missy Elliot and Madonna to Caetano Veloso and Maluma. Thania Garcia, Variety, 13 Oct. 2022 The singer, who brings together elements of reggaetón, bossa nova, R&B, hip-hop, EDM and funk carioca in her own unique musical blend, has released four albums and has been a superstar in Latin America and other territories for years, amassing more than 55 million Instagram followers. Shirley Halperin, Variety, 1 Feb. 2022 This is one of my fave funk carioca tunes! Katie Bain, Billboard, 25 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Brazilian Portuguese

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of carioca was in 1830

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carioca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carioca. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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