bambambã

Portuguese

Etymology

Borrowed from Kimbundu mbamba (“master”), with reduplication.

Pronunciation

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /bɐ̃.bɐ̃ˈbɐ̃/

• Rhymes: -ɐ̃

Noun

bambambã m or f by sense (plural bambambãs) (Brazil, informal, often derogatory)

1. big shot (a person with a reputation of importance or power)
2. know-it-all (someone who claims to be knowledgeable or an expert in something)
3. bully (person who is cruel to others, especially those who are weaker)

   Synonym: valentão

Further reading

• “bambambã”, in Dicionário Priberam da Língua Portuguesa (in Portuguese), Lisbon: Priberam, 2008–2025
• “bambambã”, in Dicionário infopédia da Língua Portuguesa (in Portuguese), Porto: Porto Editora, 2003–2025