English Reference

Word

samba

Phoneticssam·ba

US/ˈsɑmbə/

UK/sˈæmbɐ/

Definitions

01music genre

B1 · Music

n. a style of music from Brazil with a fast, energetic beat.

n. a Brazilian musical genre with roots in West African traditions, characterized by a syncopated 2/4 rhythm.

“The street was filled with the sound of loud samba during the festival.”

“The evolution of samba as a national musical identity in Brazil was heavily influenced by the urban culture of Rio de Janeiro in the early twentieth century.”

02dance style

B1

n. a fast Brazilian dance that people often perform at Carnival.

n. a rhythmic Brazilian ballroom dance, typically performed in 2/4 time, known for its rapid steps and swaying hip movements.

“She took a class to learn how to dance the samba before her trip to Rio.”

“Professional dancers demonstrated the intricate footwork of the samba, captivating the audience with their speed and coordination.”

Etymology

Borrowed from Brazilian Portuguese samba, from a Bantu language. Doublet of semba.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
B1 · Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference