slum

This page is about the dysphemism slum

Meaning

an area where poor people live close together

For example

  • Those slums on the hills of Rio are right next to the wealthiest suburbs.

  • The government calls slums "high-density informal urban settlements" now.

Note:
Also "favela" (in Brazil only) and "shanty town".

Quick Quiz

If you call someone's home or district a "slum", you might

a. upset them

b. make them poor

c. make them feel proud
a) upset them b) make them poor c) make them feel proud

Contributor: Matt Errey