rebelde

Rebelde is a term used in Spanish and Portuguese with related senses. As an adjective, it means rebellious or inclined to resist authority. As a noun, it can denote a person who rebels or participates in a rebellion. The word derives from Latin rebellis, passing through Old French rebelle, and entered Spanish and Portuguese with a similar meaning and usage. In everyday language, rebelde appears in phrases describing behavior, such as conduct that defies rules or norms, and it is commonly used in political, social, and cultural contexts.

In grammar, rebelde functions as an adjective that can describe people, actions, or attitudes, and it can serve as a noun referring to a person who rebels. The gender of rebelde is handled like other -e ending adjectives, and it is used in both languages with roughly the same form across genders in descriptive use. Plural forms in Spanish and Portuguese are generally rebeldes.

Rebelde has notable cultural associations as a title. The Mexican telenovela Rebelde, produced by Televisa and airing from 2004 to 2006, centers on a group of students at Elite Way School and sparked a global pop phenomenon, including the formation of the music group RBD. The franchise expanded with a 2022 Netflix reboot, continuing the brand with a new cast and storyline. Beyond these works, rebelde appears in various media and discourse to describe individuals or groups characterized by nonconformity or opposition to authorities.