favela
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of favela
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
Explanation
In Brazil, a favela is an impoverished settlement outside a city. Most homes in favelas are made of salvaged materials like metal and cardboard. The largest favelas are on the outskirts of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where they've existed since the 19th century. Originally settled by formerly enslaved Africans, soldiers, and migrants, these communities have continued to be home to many of the poorest Brazilians. The word favela, used to mean "slum," most likely comes from a story about soldiers who had lived underneath favela trees building Rio's first such makeshift settlement.
Vocabulary lists containing favela
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Pelé
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Around 200 people were trapped at the top of a popular Rio de Janeiro tourist spot during a police operation in the Vidigal favela of the city, according to local media.
From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026
"I earn a good amount of money and it would be good if more people from the favela had the same opportunity."
From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026
Brazilian activist Salvino Oliveira, 27, is also on the list with his organisation PerifaConnection, which works to amplify the voices of favela youth and help first-generation students access university.
From Barron's • Oct. 9, 2025
Cain also met a young man at a cocktail-making class from a favela who had previously been shot - but was now choosing to learn new skills.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2025
Robson Rodrigues, who once led Rio’s military police in the Mare favela where Marielle grew up, said police overhaul must look beyond street-level officers to the corps’ entire hierarchy.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2024
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
