favela

[fuh-vel-uh, fah-ve-lah]

noun

1. a shantytown in or near a city, especially in Brazil; slum area.

favela

/ fɑːˈveɪlə /

noun

1. (in Brazil) a shanty or shantytown

Word History and Origins

Origin of favela¹

1945–50; < Brazilian Portuguese: alleged to be a name given to a hill in the vicinity of Rio de Janeiro, where such towns were built circa 1900; literally, a shrub of the family Euphorbiaceae, derivative of Portuguese fava bean < Latin faba

Word History and Origins

Origin of favela¹

C20: from Portuguese

Example Sentences

In Rocinha, a favela under CV control, gang members vowed to kill those who leaked a 2020 video showing a CV leader surrounded by rifles and machine guns.

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A day after the deadliest police operation in Brazil's history, the country is still piecing together details about the raid against a powerful drug gang in Rio de Janeiro's favelas.

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The huge number of police officers who took part in the operation were backed by armored vehicles, helicopters and drones, as the streets of the favelas saw war-like scenes.

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The area of favelas near Rio's airport is considered to be the headquarters of one of Brazil's most powerful organised crime groups.

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Unlike some of Brazil's sporting superstars, Fonseca's story is not one of humble beginnings in the Rio favelas.

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