# Rio

/ˈɹioʊ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rio
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the city

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a common short name for the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

For teachers: a toponymic ellipsis for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

- We spent two weeks in Rio during the carnival season.
- The international summit in Rio focused on sustainable urban development and the preservation of coastal ecosystems.

Usage: Usually used without the definite article 'the' unless referring to the city's specific atmosphere.

## Examples

- We are planning a trip to Rio next summer.
- The international summit was held in Rio to take advantage of the city's extensive conference facilities and hotels.
- While the postcard images of Rio focus on the dramatic granite peaks and white sands, the city's true character is found in the vibrant, densely populated hillsides where samba was born.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.