favela

noun

fa·​ve·​la fə-ˈve-lə How to pronounce favela (audio)
variants or less commonly favella
Synonyms of favelanext
: a settlement of jerry-built shacks lying on the outskirts of a Brazilian city

Examples of favela in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The sport is deeply ingrained in everyday life, from the favelas to the beaches to the Maracana Stadium. Michelle Kaufman may 29, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026 Last year, an operation in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas left more than 120 people dead. ABC News, 28 May 2026 De Jesus describes her life in the 1950s as a waste picker in the Canindé favela in São Paulo, Brazil. Roberto Prieto, Variety, 26 May 2026 Wealthy business districts and luxury high-rises often exist alongside informal settlements known as favelas, highlighting ongoing social and spatial inequalities. Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for favela

Word History

Etymology

Brazilian Portuguese favela, perhaps from Favela, hill outside Rio de Janeiro

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of favela was in 1946

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Cite this Entry

“Favela.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/favela. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

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