shiva
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.”
How to use shiva
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the Jewish week of mourning, or the Hindu god of destruction and rebirth — two entirely unrelated words that happen to look alike.
Don't confuse the Jewish mourning custom with the Hindu deity — they come from completely different languages and traditions.
Word forms
shivas plural
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.
Rhymes for shiva
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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