Definition of favela
: a settlement of jerry-built shacks lying on the outskirts of a Brazilian city
Read the Latest from M-W
Recent Examples of favela from the Web
-
And instead of singing mournful fado songs in crumbling waterfront buildings, the Portuguese were spinning Brazilectronica numbers in favela esqueleto high-rises daubed in psychedelic murals by ASSUME VIVID ASTRO FOCUS?
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'favela'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of favela
Brazilian Portuguese favela, perhaps from Favela, hill outside Rio de Janeiro
First Known Use: 1946
Learn More about favela
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up favela? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!