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1. A native or inhabitant of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2. carioca
a. A dance similar to the samba.
b. The music for this dance.

[Portuguese, of Tupian origin.]

Car′i·o′can adj.


1. (Dancing) a Brazilian dance similar to the samba
2. (Music, other) a piece of music composed for this dance
[C19: from Brazilian Portuguese]


(ˌkær iˈoʊ kə)

n., pl. -cas.
a dance based on the samba.
[1930–35; after Carioca]


(ˌkær iˈoʊ kə)

n., pl. -cas.
(sometimes l.c.) a native or resident of Rio de Janeiro.
[1820–30; < Brazilian Portuguese < Tupi]
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.Carioca - a native or inhabitant of Rio de Janeiro
Rio, Rio de Janeiro - the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil; chief Brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
Brazilian - a native or inhabitant of Brazil
2.carioca - music composed for dancing the carioca
dance music - music to dance to
3.carioca - a lively ballroom dance that resembles the samba
ballroom dance, ballroom dancing - any of a variety of social dances performed by couples in a ballroom
References in periodicals archive ?
Na apresentacao, a autora expoe como o seu trabalho inicial com o acervo pertencente ao Arquivo Fernando de Azevedo (Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros/ USP) foi importante para a emergencia de perguntas e do interesse historiografico sobre a gestao carioca do escolanovista.
"We are proud of the Carioca way of life, meaning samba, sun and fun," said Felipe Goes, Rio de Janeiro City Secretary for Development.
Rakti's oldest European crop are three, and include Italian Listed scorer Carioca, as well as multiple winners Drumpellier and White Dart.
The Spain-based company said, 'With this new investment, Repsol Brasil is fully capitalized to develop all of its current projects in Brazil, including world class discoveries in the Guara and Carioca pre-salt basins.'
Other important "Carioca" authors include Afonso Henriques Lima Barreto (1881-1922), one of the greatest satirical writers of Brazil, and Clarice Lispector (1920-77), well known for her unique writing style.
Nabiha Lotfy's new documentary, "Carioca," pays tribute to the legendary Egyptian belly dancer and actress, Tahia Carioca.