noun Uncommon

shiva

SHIH-vuh

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Shiva (noun) means In Judaism, a seven-day period of formal mourning for a close relative. Example: “The family sat shiva for a full week after the funeral.”

noun

In Judaism, a seven-day period of formal mourning for a close relative.

"“Mo Kellman lost his wife ten years ago.” “Does that mean the shiva is over?”" — Suri Rosen, Playing with Matches (2014)

"The family sat shiva for a full week after the funeral."

name

A major Hindu deity associated with destruction and transformation.

"The temple's central statue depicted Shiva in meditation."

How to use shiva

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the Jewish week of mourning, or the Hindu god of destruction and rebirth — two entirely unrelated words that happen to look alike.

Common mistake

Don't confuse the Jewish mourning custom with the Hindu deity — they come from completely different languages and traditions.

Common pairings

sit shiva

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: shivas

Test yourself on “shiva” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The family sat _____ for a full week after the funeral.

Etymology

The mourning-period sense comes from Hebrew shiv'a, meaning "seven," referring to its seven-day length. The deity name is unrelated, from Sanskrit.

Origin: Sanskrit

Synonyms

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shivah shibah

Rhymes for shiva

viva diva riva siva saliva Godiva yeshiva

See all rhymes for shiva →

Frequently asked questions

What does “shiva” mean?

The word “shiva” means in Judaism, a seven-day period of formal mourning for a close relative. In plain terms, either the Jewish week of mourning, or the Hindu god of destruction and rebirth — two entirely unrelated words that happen to look alike.

How do you pronounce “shiva”?

“Shiva” is pronounced SHIH-vuh (/ˈʃɪvə/ in IPA).

How do you use “shiva” in a sentence?

Here is “shiva” used in a sentence: “The family sat shiva for a full week after the funeral.”

What part of speech is “shiva”?

Depending on how it is used, “shiva” can be a noun and a name.

Where does the word “shiva” come from?

The word “shiva” comes from Sanskrit. The mourning-period sense comes from Hebrew shiv'a, meaning "seven," referring to its seven-day length. The deity name is unrelated, from Sanskrit.

Is “shiva” a common word?

“Shiva” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “shiva” have?

“Shiva” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in Judaism, a seven-day period of formal mourning for a close relative.

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Words with Sanskrit origins