noun
siesta
see-EHS-tuh
Siesta (noun) means a short nap or rest taken in the early afternoon, especially during the hottest part of the day. Example: “Shops in the town close for a siesta between two and five.”
noun
1
A short nap or rest taken in the early afternoon, especially during the hottest part of the day.
"Shops in the town close for a siesta between two and five."
"He stretched out on the sofa for a quick siesta after lunch."
verb
1
To take a siesta; to nap in the afternoon.
"We siestaed through the worst of the midday heat."
How to use siesta
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn afternoon nap, often built into the daily schedule in hot countries.
Common pairings
take a siesta
afternoon siesta
siesta time
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Word forms
- Plural
- siestas
- Third person singular
- siestas
- Past tense
- siestaed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Shops in the town close for a _____ between two and five.
Etymology
From Spanish siesta, going back to Latin sexta (hora), "the sixth hour" (counted from dawn) — that is, midday.
Synonyms
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shut-eye
Rhymes for siesta
See all rhymes for siesta →Frequently asked questions
What does “siesta” mean?
The word “siesta” means a short nap or rest taken in the early afternoon, especially during the hottest part of the day. In plain terms, an afternoon nap, often built into the daily schedule in hot countries.
How do you pronounce “siesta”?
“Siesta” is pronounced see-EHS-tuh (/siˈɛstə/ in IPA).
How do you use “siesta” in a sentence?
Here is “siesta” used in a sentence: “Shops in the town close for a siesta between two and five.”
What is another word for “siesta”?
Words with a similar meaning to “siesta” include shut-eye.
What part of speech is “siesta”?
Depending on how it is used, “siesta” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “siesta” come from?
The word “siesta” comes from Latin. From Spanish siesta, going back to Latin sexta (hora), "the sixth hour" (counted from dawn) — that is, midday.
How many meanings does “siesta” have?
“Siesta” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short nap or rest taken in the early afternoon, especially during the hottest part of the day.
