corcovado: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2 level); mostly in geographical, musical, or Brazilian cultural contexts.Formal; geographical/cultural proper noun.
Quick answer
What does “corcovado” mean?
Hunchbacked.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Hunchbacked; bent or crooked like a hump.
In English, primarily refers to the prominent mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Corcovado Mountain, featuring the Christ the Redeemer statue) or a song title (e.g., 'Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)' by Antônio Carlos Jobim). The adjective form ('hunchbacked') is rare in English usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. Both recognise it primarily as a proper noun.
Connotations
Connotes Brazilian geography, bossa nova music, and tourism.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “corcovado” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] (Corcovado) + verb (stands, overlooks, features)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corcovado” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The old, corcovado tree leaned perilously over the path. (Rare/poetic)
American English
- He walked with a slightly corcovado posture. (Rare/poetic)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; potentially in tourism/travel industry ('Corcovado tours').
Academic
In geography, Latin American studies, or musicology contexts.
Everyday
In discussions of travel to Rio de Janeiro or bossa nova music.
Technical
Not used in technical fields outside specific cultural/geographical references.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corcovado”
- Mispronouncing as /kɔːrˈkoʊvədoʊ/ (incorrect stress).
- Using it as a common adjective (e.g., 'a corcovado man') in English.
- Confusing it with other South American landmarks (e.g., Sugarloaf Mountain).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a loanword from Portuguese used in English primarily as a proper noun for the mountain in Rio de Janeiro and the associated song.
No, this would be very rare and potentially confusing. Use 'hunchbacked' instead.
The most common anglicised pronunciation is /ˌkɔːrkəˈvɑːdoʊ/ (US) or /ˌkɔːkəˈvɑːdəʊ/ (UK), with primary stress on 'va'.
It comes from Portuguese, meaning 'hunchbacked', referring to the hump-like shape of the mountain.
Hunchbacked.
Corcovado is usually formal; geographical/cultural proper noun. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific in English.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture the C-shaped curve of the mountain's CORC(h) – think 'CORE' (central) and 'COVA' (like 'cove' or 'cave') forming a hump.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GIANT'S HUNCHBACK (for the mountain).
Practice
Quiz
In English, 'Corcovado' is most commonly used as: