favela

American  

[fuh-vel-uh, fah-ve-lah] / fəˈvɛl ə, fɑˈvɛ lɑ /

noun

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

---

favela British  

/ fɑːˈveɪlə /

noun

1. (in Brazil) a shanty or shantytown

---

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

Example Sentences

"How many Mozarts or Beethovens are there in the favelas of Rio, just waiting for a chance to develop, waiting for the opportunity to pursue their dreams?" he asked attendees.

From Barron's

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.

From BBC

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.

From Barron's

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.

From Barron's

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

From BBC