'Pelé' Enters Brazilian Dictionary As An Adjective Used For Someone Who Is 'Unique'

Pelé, a three-time World Cup winner, passed away in December last year after losing a fight against cancer. He was 82.

Pelé passed away in December last year after losing a battle to cancer. He was 82.

Source : AFP

In honour of the legendary Brazil International football star Pele, a Brazilian dictionary has added "Pele" as an adjective which can be used to describe someone who is “exceptional, incomparable, unique.”

The announcement was made by the Michaelis dictionary on Wednesday. This is part of their campaign that got over 1,25,000 signatures as a way of tribue to the superstar football star. It was also to drive home the point that Pele's legacy lives far beyond just his sporting brilliance.

It is pertinent to note that the three-time World Cup winner had passed away in December last year after losing a fight against cancer. He was 82.

The latest entry to the dictinary reads: "The one that is extraordinary, or who because of his quality, value or superiority cannot be matched to anything or anyone, just like Pelé; nickname of Edson Arantes do Nascimento (1940-2022), considered the best athlete of all time; exceptional, incomparable, unique. Examples: He is the Pelé of basketball, she is the Pelé of tennis, she is the Pelé of Brazilian theater, he is the Pelé of medicine.”

"THE KING IS OFFICIALLY IN THE DICTIONARY! He is the Basketball Pelé. She is the skin of Tennis. The expression that was already used to refer to the best in what you do is eternalized in the pages of the dictionary! Together we made history and put the name of the King of football in our Portuguese language. Pelé, the meaning of "BEST"" Pelé Foundation, a charitable organisation for the preservation of the player's legacy tweeted.

O REI OFICIALMENTE ESTÁ NO DICIONÁRIO!

Ele é o pelé do Basquete. Ela é a pelé do Tênis. A expressão que já era usada para se referir ao melhor naquilo que faz está eternizada nas páginas do dicionário! Juntos fizemos história e colocamos o nome do Rei do futebol na nossa língua… pic.twitter.com/Yy5RwWjq8J

— Pelé (@Pele) April 26, 2023