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Showing results for samba. Search instead for sampa.
Definitions

samba

[sam-buh, sahm-] / ˈsæm bə, ˈsɑm- /
NOUN
dance
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disco tango waltz
STRONG
Charleston boogie conga foxtrot frolic hop hustle jig jitter jitterbug jive jump leap one-step promenade rhumba spin step swing tap twist two-step
WEAK
boogie down bunny hop cut a rug foot it get down rock n' roll trip the light fantastic

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.

Rio de Janeiro's annual carnival parade competition continued its tradition of vibrant dance and colour, with samba school Viradouro taking the crown for its tribute to its legendary drum director.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

"The samba says it: there are children of the poor becoming doctors, and me, a child of the poor, becoming a carnival designer," he told Reuters.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

In a faded rehearsal hall in the gritty concrete sprawl of northern Rio de Janeiro, samba dancers and drummers fine-tune their rhythms for a grassroots carnival parade few tourists have heard of.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Watching the rehearsal, Adriano Santos, a 43-year-old social worker from the Rocinha favela, said the samba school was "being brave, innovative."

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026

As my samba music filled the arena, the crowd began to clap in time with the beat.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles