Samba, a lively Brazilian dance, has many synonyms that describe its unique characteristics. Some of the most commonly used are bossa nova, mambo, rumba, and salsa. These terms are often used interchangeably with samba but represent slightly different styles of dance. Bossa nova is a slower, more relaxed version of samba with an emphasis on the melody and lyrics. Mambo and rumba are Cuban dances that incorporate elements of samba, while salsa is a fast-paced dance that originated in Puerto Rico and shares similar movements with samba. Regardless of which synonym is used, the underlying rhythm and energy of samba remain the same.